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FROM  THE  LIBRARY  OF 
REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.  D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED   BY  HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


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G,U  SEW 


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OR, 


FIDELITY  AND  OTHER  POEMS. 


SYLVANUS  DRYDEN  PHELPS. 


NEW-YORK: 
SHELDON,   LAMPORT  &  BLAKEMAN, 

No.   115   NASSAU   STREET. 

BOSTON:     GOULD     &     LINCOLN. 

MDCCCLVL 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1855, 

BY     S.      D.      PHELPS, 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  JJisirict  Court  of  Connecticut. 


J.   H.   BEX  HAM, 
STEREOTYPER. 


PEEPACE. 


Several  years  since,  hardly  before  the  writer  had  completed 
his  Sophomore  year  in  College — and  this  perhaps  may  account 
for  the  presumption — he  tremblingly  ventured  before  the  public 
with  a  little  volume  of  verses.  He  was  kindly  encouraged  by 
friends  and  associates,  who,  in  general  with  those  publicly 
noticing  the  book,  received  his  school-boy  musings  with  an 
unexpected  degree  of  favor.  The  object  of  the  publication 
was  fully  attained,  and  the  edition  was  soon  exhausted ;  and 
though  subsequently  inquired  for,  I  could  not  consent  to  the 
reappearance  of  that  early  and  imperfect  collection.  "With 
a  profession  in  view,  and  since  entered  upon,  exhausting  one's 
time  and  energies  by  its  demands  which  are  never  relaxed, 
and  its  anxieties  whose  pressure  is  unceasing — no  further  ex- 
cursions were  intended  into  the  ideal  fields  of  Poesy,  with 
the  expectation  of  gleaning  where  more  favored  bards  have 
reaped,  or  of  garnering  the  few  meager  sheaves  that  might 
thus  accumulate.  But  here  are  the  sheaves ;  or,  dropping  the 
figure,  I  find  myself  writing  the  preface  of  a  new  volume  of 


IV  PREFACE. 

verses,  larger  than  the  one  referred  to,  and  puzzling  my  brain 
to  account  or  apologize  for  its  appearance.  • 

Doubtless  there  must  be  some  allowance  for  the  old  habit 
of  rhyme-making,  very  naturally  manifesting  itself  in  overt 
acts  now  and  then,  in  spite  of  general  tendencies  to  the  con- 
trary. Then,  there  are  urgent  requests  of  editoral  friends  and 
others,  that  one  is  reluctant  in  all  cases  to  deny.  And  further- 
more, there  are  invitations,  that  somebody  must  respond  to, 
from  Literary  Societies  connected  with  our  Universities  and 
other  educational  institutions,  for  Poems  as  well  as  Orations 
at  their  anniversary  festivals.  If  a  tolerable  success  is  attained 
on  such  occasions,  there  come  various  requests  for  publication. 
It  was  just  here  that  the  present  volume  had  its  inception. 
The  wish  that  one  or  two  of  the  longer  Poems  might  be  printed, 
being  frequent]}' urged,  it  was  thought,  in  case  of  compliance, 
that  various  fugitive  pieces,  written  at  intervals,  might  be  col- 
lected and  consigned  to  a  common  fate.  Still,  the  idea  of  pub- 
lishing, though  prompted  by  an  inclination  to  bring  out  some- 
thing better  than  the  former  issue,  was  reluctantly  cherished, 
and  only  determined  upon  after  repeated  dela}-s  and  the  well- 
nigh  relinquishment  of  the  project  altogether.  Some  of  the 
poems,  including  the  first  writing  of  the  longest,  have  thus  been 
retained  in  manuscript  the  length  of  time  recommended  by 

Horace. 

Nonumque  prematur  in  annum, 
Mombrania  intus  positis. 


PREF    I   C    E  .  V 

It  was  originally  intended*  to  include  in  this  volume  a  limited 
selection  from  the  former.  But  in  hunting  for  the  'fugitive?,' 
scattered  through  Magazines  and  other  periodical?,  or  quietly 
reposing  amid  private  papers,  an  unexpected  amount  of  ma- 
terial was  gathered  up.  This,  together  with  the  verses  written 
under  the  inspiration  of  the  work  of  selecting  and  supervis- 
ing— a  task  not  unpleasant  in  its  nature  and  the  old  associa- 
tions it  has  awakened — not  only  forbade  the  transfer  of  a 
single  piece  from  the  earlier  collection,  hut  has  swelled  this 
some  fifty  pages  beyond  the  limit  at  first  contemplated.  Had 
this  been  foreseen,  some  of  these  fragments  would  never  have 
been  basketed,  but  sent  adrift  as  worthless  -waifs  on  the  sea 
of  oblivion.  Whatever  may  be  the  estimate  placed  on  these 
unambitious  rhymings,  by  those  under  whose  eye  they  may 
come,  let  it  be  remembered  that  no  very  high  merit  is  claimed 
for  them.  They  have  not  received  the  atteution  and  care  of 
garden  plants  and  blossoms,  but  have  sprung  up  and  been 
gathered  as  wayside  and  unpretending  flowers,  that  might, 
perhaps,  attract  a  kindly  look,  and  awaken  a  gladsome  ch'eer 
on  life's  journey. 

And  now,  as  the  book  is  ready  to  take  its  chance  in  the 
world — and  I  suppose  it  has  a  proper  right  to  do  so— by  what 
name  shall  it  be  called?  To  avoid  a  formal  and  ambitious, 
as  well  as  a  far-fetched  and  merely  fanciful  title,  and  }~et 
choose  one  appropriate  and  suggestive,  not  to  say  '  taking' — a 
I- 


VI  PREFACE. 

selection  was  at  length  made  that  seems  to  harmon.ze  with 
the  contents  of  the  volume.  Most  of  these  Foems  have  direct 
reference,  either  to  scenes  in  nature,  disclosed  and  beautified 
in  the  Sunlight,  or  to  domestic  relations  and  events,  whose 
hallowed  charms  glow  in  the  Hearthlight.  If  such  a  title  seem 
to  exclude  clouds  and  shadows,  and  thus  be  not  sufficiently 
expressive ;  let  it  not  be  forgotten  that,  in  this  world,  light 
always  implies  shade.  It  is  believed  that  a  cheerful  and 
healthy  tone  pervades  the  volume,  and  that  its  somberest 
pictures  have  silvery  gleams,  or  something  of  the  interming- 
ling hues  of  a  golden  sunset.     May  it  please,  and  do  good  I 

New-Haven,  October,  1855. 


CONTENTS 


PAGE. 

PREFACE, 3 

FIDELITY 13 

FRIEND  OF  MY  HEART 55 

THE  REALM  OF   SCIENCE 58 

EP1TAPHIAN *      -  60 

THE  CHRISTIAN  GLADIATOR 61 

ROGER  WILLIAMS'S  ROCK 69 

THE  DEAD  CHILD 73 

FLOWERS  OF  FRIENDSHIP 75 

REQUIEM 77 

LINES,  WITH  A  BOUQUET 79 

NEW-ENGLAND 84 

THE  DAUGHTER'S  WELCOME 87 

THE  LAST  OF  HIS  RACE 89 

TO  MY  WIFE 95 

THE  KAREN  VILLAGE 103 

THE  HEAVENLY  FRIEND 122 


Vlll  CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

DEDICATORY  HYMN 125 

ETERNITY  AND  THE  SOUL 127 

THE  LEPER  CLEANSED 129 

A  CHRISTIAN  LYRIC 132 

THE  MORNING  STAR 139 

LITTLE  HATTIE 141 

THE  HOUSE  OF  PRAYER 144 

JUDSON  LEAVING  ST.  HELENA 146 

THE  DEPARTED  YEAR— ITS  SONG 152 

SONNETS : 

EVENING  MUSINGS 163 

TRUTH 167 

MARGARET  M.  DAVIDSON 168 

•'JESUS  WEPT" 169 

AUTUMN  WINDS 170 

THE  STARS 172 

GENIUS 173 

"GOD  IS  LOVE" 174 

THE  GRAVE  OF  MRS.  DAVIDSON 175 

COLLEGE  PRAYER  MEETING        -        -        -        -        -        -176 

"WE  ALL  DO  FADE  AS  A  LEAF"   -                -  177 

WAR -  -  178 

THE  UNION 179 

THE  CENTURY  PREACHER .     -  ISO 


CONTENTS.  IX 

PAGE. 

THE  WHITE  MOUNTAINS    -                181 

THE  OLD  YEAR 182 

THE  NEW  YEAR    ....                ....  183 

MY  MOTHER 184 

POMONA  AND  FLORA      ....  185 

SIXTEEN  TO-DAY 188 

MY  FATHER 191 

ALL  ALONE,  MY  BABY  BOY 196 

MINNEHAHA 199 

ANGEL  ALLIES 207 

MINISTERING  SPIRITS 2.8 

NETHER  SPIRITS 231 

MORAL  TRIUMPH  -                238 

DIES  IRiE        ...                 , 241 

NOTES          •                 •                         247 


FIDELITY 


Jfiklitjr. 


The  silent  shadows  of  sweet  eventide, 

As  slow  recede  the  lines  of  lingering  light, 
Descend  on  hill  and  vale  and  mountain-side, 

Screening  the  landscape  from  the  gazer's  sight ; 

And,  as  they  drop  and  darken  into  night, 
Seem  to  unmask  a  thousand  disks  on  high, 

Reveal  celestial  forms  serenely  bright, 
And  raise  aloft  the  rapt,  admiring  eye, 
Where  silvery  beaming  orbs  illume  the  arching 
sky. 

• 

But  not  the  music  of  the  mystic  stars, 
That  softly  serenade  the  tented  day  ; 


14  FIDELITY. 

Not  Jove's  clear  look,  nor  fiery  face  of  Mars, 
Nor  Luna's  flowing  flood  of  crystal  spray, 
Nor  lesser  lights  that  deep  in  ether  play, 

And  guide,  if  not  the  mariner,  perchance 

Ascending  spirits  on  their  heavenward  way, 

Or  those  that  visit  us  with  friendly  glance — 

Not  these  are  sought  or  seen,  to  bid  my  song 
advance. 

Not  where  the  eye   surveys    heaven's   jeweled 
dome, 
From    shadowy  mount,   or  mirrored   in   the 
streams 
Where  lovers  walk,  or  fairies  make  their  home, 
Whose  beauty,  in  its  grace  or  grandeur,  seems 
The  charmed  perfection  of  ideal  dreams — 
Not  there  am  I  to  shape  these  wayward  lines  j 

Around  me  Nature  not  with  glory  teems: 
Alone,  a  quiet  room  myself  confines, 
And  there  my  faithful  Larmp  in  silence  on  me 
shines. 


FIDELITY. 


15 


While  four  Olympiads  have  dawned  and  passed, 
Fraught  with  the  varying  scenes  of  student 
life, 
'Mid  calm  retreats,  and  stormy  conflicts  cast, 
Where  all  one's  powers  were  marshaled  in  the 

strife, 
To  bide  events  with  high  importance  rife, 
And  win  its  good  as  every  epoch  came, 
From  taking  books  until  one  takes  a  wife, 
And  hath  a  '  habitation  and  a  name  ' — 
That  crystal  lamp,  at  eve,  has  shed  on  me  its 
flame. 


Now,  as  I  write,  how  sweet  its  beaming  smile  ! 

The  same  as  when  at  first  T  saw  its  ray  ; 
Though  oft  in  peril,  not  from  conscious  guile, 

But  some  mishap  or  jar  on  journeying  way, 

Some  fearful  fall  that  threatened  its  decay, 
'Tis  yet  unharmed,  as  in  its  early  prime, 

Surviving  all  the  dangers  of  its  day, 


16  FIDELITY. 

And  giving  light  along  the  track  of  time, 

To  help  a  problem  out,  or  find  the  wanted  rhyme. 


On  my  first  task  in  Latin,  and  in  Greek, 
And  Algebra,  its  quiet  beams  did  pour  ; 

Lit  the  fair  leaves  where  Cjesar,  Virgil,  speak, 
And  blinder  pages  of  Athenian  lore  : 
Grave  declamations  practiced  o'er  and  o'er, 

It  saw,  and  patiently  it  burned  while  crude 
Essays  were  writ,  which  lofty  subjects  bore, 

While  reason's  road,    or   fancy's  flight  pursued, 

Led  into  eager  realms,  where  sages  scarce  intrude. 


From  Freshman's  wondrous  dawn  to  Senior's 
ending, 
Along  the  path  that  intervening  lies, 

As  every  step  is  higher  still  ascending, 

While  years  move  slow,  and  anxious  eras  rise, 
That  seem  momentous,  toAvering  to  the  skies  ; 


FIDELITY.  17 

That  Lamp,  companion  of  my  evening  hours, 
Looked  on  each  changing  scene  with  kindly 

eyes, 
Marked  the  fierce  struggle  of  conflicting  powers, 
And  seemed,  at  last,  to  pour  its  rays  in  smiling 

showers. 


On  Theologic  themes  and  terms  it  shined  ; 

On  letters  used  by  Abraham  of  old  ; 
And,  sure,  on  Letters  of  another  kind, 

Whose  sweet  translations  may  not  here  be  told. 

While  later  years  of  studious  care  have  rolled, 
My  Lamp  hath  been  to  me  a  faithful  friend  ; 

And  may  it  better  tasks  than  this  behold, 
As  life,  like  wasting  oil,  speeds  to  its  end  ; 
But  ne'er  shall  fade  the  scenes  that  in  its  history 
blend. 


2* 


18  FIDELITY. 

How  strong  the  ties  that  bind  us  to  the  years, 
That  marked  our  early  toils  and  hopes  and  fears ; 
What  blending  accents  linger  on  the  ear, 
As  Memory  wakes  a  thousand  visions  dear  : 
Rests  on  each  spot  that  cheers  the  gladdened  gaze, 
Bright  with  the  beauty  of  departed  days  ; 
Heareth  each  echoing  footstep  as  it  falls, 
Down  the  long  passage  through  her  ample  halls  ; 
And  lives  those  golden-tinted  hours  anew, 
As  pleasing  scenes  come  thronging  to  the  view. 

There,  robed  in  verdure,  are  dear  native  hills, 
And  quiet  vales  where  sport  the  circling  rills ; 
There  the  familiar  scenes  where  childhood  hours 
Glided  along  as  in  enchanted  bowers  ; 
Where  kindred  voices,  in  affection  heard, 
The  gushing  raptures  of  the  spirit  stirred  ; 
Where  loving  hearts  and  kindly-speaking  eyes 
Bade  many  a  beam  of  hope  and  gladness  rise, 
That  clustered  round  those  early  days  so  bright. 
And  gave  young  life  its  innocent  delight.     9 


FIDELITY.  19 

As  come  the  winds  that  o'er  the  valleys  sweep, 
As  rush  the  mountain  torrents  to  the  deep, 
As  angel  guardians  from  the  world  above, 
To  us  descend,  the  ministers  of  love  ; 
So  fondest  memories  tripping  from  the  Past, 
Their  magic  spell  o'er  all  the  spirit  cast. 

The  seaman  turns,  amid  the  ocean's  roar, 
To  watch  the  hills  upon  his  native  shore  ; 
The  weary  pilgrim,  wont  afar  to  roam, 
Hastes  to  the  kindred  of  his  early  home  ; 
And  children,  straying  from  maternal  care, 
Are  glad  again  its  fond  embrace  to  share  ; 
So  round  remembered  scenes,  with  radiant  wings, 
Enraptured  Thought  in  kind  affection  clings. 

The  strong  attractions  of  a  mystic  power 
Link  our  existence  to  the  present  hour, 
And  chain  our  wondrous  being,  as  it  rolls 
Along  its  pathway  to  the  land  of  souls, 


20  FIDELITY. 

To  what  it  sees,  and  hears,  performs,  and  knows, 
While  onward  its  mysterious  current  flows. 
And  yet  the  Present— with  its  teeming  life, 
Its  might  of  energy  and  glorious  strife, 
Its  hoarded  wealth  of  nature,  and  of  mind, 
Art's  vast,  unmeasured  stores  of  every  kind, 
The  rich  profusion  that  around  us  springs, 
And  so  to  all,  its  joy  and  blessing  brings— 
Hath  still  a  strong  alliance  with  the  Past, 
Is  therewith  bound  by  ties  that  always  last. 
The  stream  of  Progress,  as  it  forward  goes, 
Can  never  lose  the  fountain  whence  it  rose. 
Much  of  its  present  beauty  and  its  power 
It  owes  to  treasures  of  a  by-gone  hour. 
The  thousand  comforts  that  around  us  shine, 
The  richest  blessings  of  the  Hand  Divine, 
The  lovely  flowers  that  in  our  pathway  bloom, 
The  heavenly  beams  that  light   the   darkened 

tomb, 
Are  garnered  fruit  from  seed  long  sown  before, 
And  precious  wealth  from  toils  that  others  bore. 


FIDELITY.  21 

Our  thoughts  go  back  amid  the  hopes  and  fears 
That  fill  the  measure  of  two  hundred  years  ; 
And  where  this  beauteous  City's  ample  arms1 
Embrace  so  much  of  life  and  art  and  charms, 
Whose  ancient  Elms,  arch-crowned,  majestic, 

grand, 
In  grateful  pride  and  shadowy  glory  stand, 
A  simple  village  in  the  woodland  lay: — 
A  few  rude  dwellings  overlooked  the  Bay. 
No  merchant-ships  came  thronging  to  the  shore, 
To  pile  along  these  wharves  their  freighted  store  ; 
The  red  man  roved  the  trackless  forest  through, 
Or  plied  his  bark  upon  yon  waters  blue  ; 
The  same  twin  Hills,  with  bold  and  rocky  brow, 
Of  this  sweet  vale  were  sentinels  as  now  ; 
And  at  their  feet  those  streams  in  silence  rolled, 
That  all  these  glories  of  to-day  enfold. 
But  those  were  faithful  hearts  that  gathered  here, 
From  whose  stern  labors  precious  fruits  appear  ; 
Their  deeds  and  holy  virtues  can  not  die, 
Linked  with  the  world  immortal  in  the  sky. 


22  FIDELITY. 

They  lived  for  us — they  toiled  for  coming  time, 
And  left  their  works  as  monuments  sublime. 
The  Christian  Faith  that  made  the  forest-tree 
God's  house  of  prayer,  of  worship  true  and  free, 
Dwells  with  us  still — the  heart's  deep  life  and 

power, 
Its  strong  support  in  trial's  heaviest  hour  ; 
And  now  in  many  a  sacred  temple  fair, 
That  faith  finds  utterance  in  truth  and  prayer. 

Such  the  fidelity  to  Truth  and  Toil, 
That  wins  from  passing  life  a  priceless  spoil  ; 
That  fills  a  present  cup  with  purest  bliss. 
And  gains  a  world  beyond  the  bounds  of  this  ; 
That  makes  the  actions  of  a  fleeting  hour 
Go  down  to  future  times  with  living  power. 

O  sweet  Fidelity  !  with  beams  divine, 
O'er  Nature's  boundless  realm  thy  beauties  shine  : 
Thy  kingdom  stretches  to  the  distant  sky — 
All  that  we  see,  and  wli3i*3  the  curious  eye 


FIDELITY.  23 

Hath  never  scanned  the  infinite  expanse, 
That  spreads  in  glory  to  Jehovah's  glance  : 
Where  hang  the  curtains  of.  the  heavens  afar, 
Spangled  and  gemmed  with  many  a  beaming  star ; 
Where  darts  the  comet  on  its  wings  of  light, 
Beyond  the  bounds  of  Fancy's  farthest  flight  ; 
Where  planets,  moons,  or  suns,  or  systems  dwell ; 
Centers  unmoved,  or  mighty  cycles  tell : 
These  thou  dost    guide  through  every  passing 

hour, 
Obedient  all  to  Heaven's  resistless  power. 

The  ceaseless  rolling  of  old  ocean's  tides  ; 

9 

The  spirit  of  the  winds  that  o'er  them  glides  ; 
The  storm-rocked  billows  leaping  to  the  sky, 
Roused  by  the  tempest  as  it  thunders  by, 
Move  not  at  will  or  self-controlling  choice  ; 
They  hear  a  still  and  soft,  but  mighty  voice, 
That  sounds  their  depths  and  echoes  o'er  their 

crest, 
Bids  them  awake  or  sink  away  to  rest. 


24  FIDELITY. 

Thus,  once  upon  the  Galilean  Sea, 
The  fearful  floods  were  dancing  wild  and  free  ; 
-Dark,  threatening  clouds  the  face  of  heaven  con- 
cealed, 
And  darker  waves  approaching  woe  revealed  ; 
Howled  the  tornado  with  appalling  breath,. 
As  swift  and  fierce  it  came,  portending  death 
To  those  whose  bark  was  trembling  in  the  storm, 
Whose  spirits  quailed  before  its  wrathful  form, 
Till  He,  who  now  in  softest  slumber  lay, 
Was  waked,  and  stood  amid  the  dashing  spray. 
His  brow  was  placid,  and  divine  his  mien, 
As  out  he  gazed  on  that  terrific  scene  ! 
Above  his  head  the  livid  lightning  played  ; 
High  on  a  foaming  wave  the  vessel  swayed  : 
He  spake — and  quick  as  thought  the  surges  sleep  ; 
A  hallowed  calm  pervades  the  awful  deep — 
The  clouds  retire — the  winds  obey  his  will — 
They  heard  their  Maker's  mandate  :  Peace,  be 
still  ! 


FIDELITY.  25 

Daughter  of  Heaven  ! — for  thou  art  all  divine — 
The  Seasons'  varied  affluence  is  thine  : 
The  soft  south  wind,  like  spirit-kindling  breath, 
That  wakes  fair  Spring  from  Winter's  icy  death; 
The  smiling  sunbeams  falling  from  the  sky, 
As  drops  of  life  from  Nature's  glowing  eye, 
That  call  from  earth's  wide  fields  or  garden  bowers. 
The  lovely  sisterhood  of  laughing  flowers, 
Bright  in  their  dew-crowns,  dancing  in  the  breeze, 
Or  charmed  by  bird-songs  swelling  from  the  trees. 

Thine,  gorgeous  Summer  that  with  richness  teems, 
And  beauties  brighter  than  a  fairy's  dreams  ; 
Maturing  fruits  and  fields  of  golden  grain — 
Blest  harvests  waving  o'er  the  whitened  plain  ; 
Now  gladdened  by  the  coming,  grateful  cloud, 
That  pours  free  bounty  from  its  darkling  shroud  ; 
Now  blushing  in  the  fire-bolt's  flashing  light, 
Then  trembling  in  the  voiceful  thunder's  might, 
That  leaps  the  awful  heaven  with  fearful  bound, 
And  shakes  its  corridors  with  deafening  sound. 


26  FIDELITY. 

Then,  on  the  rolling  tempest,  wild  and  grand, 
As  wrought  and  rounded  by  a  seraph's  hand, 
The  blending  lines  in  wondrous  beauty  glow, 
Span  the  dark  cloud,  and  touch  the  earth  below. 
So  to  the  world,  o'erswept  with  sin-brought  wrath, 
Sweet  Mercy  comes,  and  bright  along  its  path 
Hangs  her  blest  bow — as  hope  to  lost  ones  given — 
That  looms  from  earth  and  culminates  in  heaven. 

Thine,  melancholy  Autumn's  changing  forms — 
Sweet  Indian  summers,  and  repelling  storms ; 
Soft  sunlight  sparkling  'mid  the  frozen  dews  ; 
And  solemn  forests  crowned  with  splendent  hues, 
As  though  the  heavenly  Iris  forth  had  flung 
Her  every  tint  the  branching  trees  among  j 
Pale,  withered  leaves  that,  fluttering,  fall  to  dust ; 
Their  lessons  of  decay  and  hopeful  trust  ; 
Calm  moonlight  evenings  so  serene  and  bright, 
That  glory  lingers  round  the  pensive  night ; 
And  rural  music,  in  its  charming  chime, 
Seems  like  the  chantings  of  the  spirit-clime. 


FIDELITY.  27 

Thine,  frost-clad  Winter,  beautiful,  and  drear, 
Welcomed  with  smiles,  or  met  with  boding  fear. 
As  Plenty's  treasures  to  the  palace  pour, 
Or  Want  comes  shivering  to  the  hovel  door : 
The  sky  all  frowning  as  the  snow-cloud  shakes 
From  its  broad  mantle  showers  of  falling  flakes, 
That  swing  and  circle  as  they  downward  play, 
Like  dancing  blossoms  in  a  summer  day. 
Swift  o'er  the  beaten  path  the  light  sleighs  glide, 
And  merry  bells  ring  as  the  glad  hearts  ride ; 
The  stars  look  loving  till  the  midnight  hour — 
All  then  is  silent  and  the  dark  clouds  lower. 
Lo,  now  the  misty  dampness  and  the  rain-drops 

freeze 
On  all  the  thousand  skeletons  of  trees  ; 
And  morning  sunbeams  from  a  dazzling  sky, 
Give  to  each  pendent  twig  an  angel's  eye, 
Glittering  and  glancing  in  the  diamond  sheen, 
O'er  all  the  icy  splendor  of  the  scene, 
Till  jeweled  Earth,  as  touched  by  magic  hand, 
Appears  the  Paradise  of  Fairy  Land. 


28  FIDELITY. 

Along  the  margin  of  the  ice-crowned  wood, 
The  birch-trees  tall  in  clustering  columns  stood  : 
Now,  'neath  the  weight  of  tesselated  gems, 
They  bow  their  heads  and  sparkling  diadems, 
And  with  their  rainbow  forms,  in  reverence  meet, 
Pay  humble  homage  at  the  Creator's  feet. 
Type  of  that  bright,  Apocalyptic  scene, 
Where  ransomed  ones  in  heavenly  courts  con- 
vene, 
And  joyously  Emmanuel's  scepter  own, 
As  'mid  the  glories  of  his  dazzling  throne, 
Each  grateful  spirit,  bending  lowly  down, 
Casts  at  his  gracious  feet  a  star-lit  crown. 
While  climbs  the  sun  the  cloudless  winter  sky 
Warm  lines  of  golden  light  come  sweeping  by, 
And  silvery  jewels  from  the  branches  clip, 
That  drop,  and  down  the  glacial  surface  trip, 
And  faster  fall  and  roll,  and  louder  sound, 
Till  all  the  woods  and  vales  and  hills  around, 
Are  full  of  melody  so  sweet  and  clear. 
That  buoyant  trees,  relieved,  rise  up  to  hear. 


FIDELITY.  29 

Stupendous  Nature,  in  its  charms  and  power— 
The  rolling  planet,  and  the  smiling  flower ; 
The  glorious  harmony  of  endless  change  ; 
Earth's  vast  domain,  and  heaven's  unmeasured 

range  ; 
Spirits  of  light — the  insect  of  the  sod  ; — 
All  these  are  thine,  obedient  to  their  God. 

Daughter  of  Heaven  !  how  pure  thy  lovely  sway, 
In  yon  untainted  world  of  perfect  day  ! 
The  holy  influence  of  thy  golden  chain 
Circles  the  angel  host  and  ransomed  train  ; 
If  on  their  joyful  flights  from  star  to  star, 
Sent  to  the  good  of  this  dark  land  afar, 
Or  if  within  the  emerald  gates  they  shine, 
They  own  thy  power  and  feel  its  charm  divine. 

And  thou  wast  present  when  this  wondrous  earth 

Rose  faultless,  fair  and  glorious  at  its  birth  ; 

When  all  beneath,  and  beaming  heavens  above 

Bore  the  bright  impress  of  Eternal  Love  ; 
3* 


30 


FIDELITY. 


When  Godlike  Man,  of  free,  majestic  mien, 
Was  the  vicegerent  of  the  new-formed  scene  j 
And  Woman  came,  fair  as  the  morning  light — 
The  choicest  boon  that  met  his  raptured  sight ; 
And  o'er  that  Eden  home  celestials  sang, 
And  stars,  entranced,  with  heavenly  music  rang. 

Thy  presence  was  with  him  so  wont  of  old, 
Communion  sweet  with  Deity  to  hold, 
Who  ne'er  Death's  dark,  sepulchral  valley  trod, 
But  here  and  up  to  glory  'walked  with  God.' 

Thy  guiding  hand  the  faithful  Patriarch  led, 
As  toward  Moriah's  sacred  mount  he  sped, 
And  reared  an  altar  to  Jehovah  there, 
Nor  sought  his  loved  and  only  child  to  spare. 

And  gentle  Ruth,  sweet  gleaner  of  the  field, 
Thy  pleasing  power  and  sympathy  revealed, 
As  her  unchanging  filial  love  declared 
The  lot  of  Naomi  should  all  be  shared  ; 


FIDELITY.  31 

Her  path,  her  rest,  though  mantled  o'er  with 

gloom, 
Her  humble  life  and  death  and  lowly  tomb. 


O,  if  the  curious  eye  had  power  to  trace 
Each  splendid  palace  and  each  humbler  place, 
Where  dwells  the  lofty  or  the  lowly  mind, 
In  many  a  chosen  spot  'twould  gladly  find, 
That  Love,  with  Peace  and  Purity,  resides 
Where  this  sweet  flower,  Fidelity,  abides. 

Yon  cheerful  cottage,  half  obscured  by  trees, 
Fanned  by  the  pinions  of  the  summer  breeze, 
Where  mingled  light  and  shadows  softly  stray, 
And  love  to  linger  through  the  livelong  day — 
Holds  Beauty's  form,   round   whose   pure   soul 

enshrined, 
Their  sweetest  charms  the  heavenly  graces  wind. 
Glad  in  a  father's  kindling  smile  she  lives, 
And  shares  the  quenchless  love  a  mother  gives 


32  FIDELITY. 

Oft  have  her  kindly  deeds  brought  sweet  relief, 
To  stricken  hearts  that  feel  the  load  of  grief ; 
Oft  hath  her  angel  voice  the  aching  spirit  blest, 
And  calmed  its  surging  woes  to  grateful  rest : 
The  mourner's  friend  and  lonely  orphan's  guide, 
The  fount  of  sorrowing  tears  she  oft  hath  dried  : 
The  light  of  home,  its  jeweled  wealth  and  prize, 
The  cynosure  of  village  hearts  and  eyes — 
Her  glad  young  years  serenely  glide  away, 
While  Virtue's  life  and  joys  crown  every  day. 

'Tis  summer  eve,  and  earth  is  heavenly  fair, 
Hushed  is  the  hum  of  toil,  and  slumbers  care ; 
The  soft,  love-hallowed  moon  ascends  the  sk) , 
And  each  pure  star, appears  a  seraph's  eye, 
While  toward  yon  cottage  home  a  youth  is  see  i, 
With  buoyant  footsteps,  hasting  o'er  the  greei  , 
To  meet  that  lovely  one  who  waits  to  hear 
His  well-known  tread  or  see  his  form  appear. 
His  was  a  faithful  heart  that  well  might  share 
The  pure  affection  of  his  chosen  fair. 


DELITY. 


33 


Oft  meeting  thus  when  daily  toils  were  done, 
Their  loving  spirits  blended  into  one. 
Along  the  cheerful  walk,  adown  the  leafy  glade, 
Together  oft  with  lightsome  hearts  they  strayed  ; 
On  nature  gazed,  around,  beneath,  above — 
Felt  her  rapt  charms  and  heard  her  voice  of  love  ; 
Reading  to  each  the  thoughtful,  glowing  page. 
Communed  they  oft  with  poet  and  with  sage  ; 
And  while  in  converse  sweet  their  spirits  young 
To  each  in  holier  love  and  friendship  clung. 

Years  of  delight  have  swept  their  peaceful  round, 
Since  those  glad  hearts  in  fondest  ties  were  bound ; 
In  rite  that  Eden  blest,  their  vows  to  Heaven, 
And  mutual  pledge,  in  trusting  faith  were  given. 
That  gentle  one,  from  earlier  joys  and  cares, 
Went  forth  encircled  with  parental  prayers, 
To  light  another  home,  to  cheer  a  faithful  heart, 
And  know  the  bliss  domestic  scenes  impart. 

How  blest  that  sacred  love  so  pure  and  sweet, 
That  sheds  its  fragrance  in  the  home  retreat, 


34 


FIDELITY. 


Binding  with  golden  links  each  heart  to  heart. 
And  stronger  grows  as  comes  the  hour  to  part ; 
Lives  in  the  joys  that  heavenly  bounty  brings, 
In  shadows  dark  that  drop  from  Sorrow's  wings, 
And  every  change,  that  marks  the  lapse  of  time, 
Revealed  in  stillness,  or  in  scenes  sublime, 
From  youth's  glad  freshness  to  the  coming  stage, 
Where  life  expires  or  sinks  in  honored  age. 
Thrice  happy  home  !  the  blest  abode  of  peace, 
Where  faith  and  love  and  sympathy  increase  ; 
Where  every  tone,  from  childhood's  ringing  glee, 
Touches  responsive  chords  of  harmony  ; 
Endearing  ties  make  every  object  dear, 
And  hope  and  gladness  crown  each  passing  year. 

Sweet  is  the  cheerful  voice  of  prayer  and  praise, 
That  love-bound  hearts  at  holy  altars  raise, 
As  early  sunbeams  round  the  dwelling  shine, 
Bright  with  a  glory  and  a  care  divine  ; 
As  evening  twilight  with  her  lingering  smiles, 
To  heavenly  thoughts  the  grateful h^art  beguiles ; 


FIDELITY.  35 

As  comes  that  day,  the  holiest  of  the  seven, 
When  rests  o'er  earth  the  sacredness  of  Heaven, 
And  with  meek  worshipers  are  gladly  trod, 
The  earthly  courts  of  our  benignant  God. 


Heaven-born  Fidelity  !  the  patriot  soul, 
In  love  to  country,  feels  thy  blest  control : 
Thy  spirit  stirs  the  bosoms  of  the  free — 
Their  kindling  anthems  are  inspired  by  thee. 

Compelled  to  arms,  for  home  and  land  and  right, 
And  hasting,  dauntless,  to  the  fearful  fight, 
What  battle-fields  have  drunk  the  patriot's  blood, 
For  Freedom  flowing  in  a  crimson  flood  ! 

What  monuments  and  blazing  records  tell 
How  fought  the  faithful  or  how  nobly  fell ! 
And  brighter  yet  shall  grow  their  deathless  fame, 
While  tyrant  heroes  sink  in  endless  shame  ! 


36  FIDELITY. 

Great  Washington  !  in  virtue  all  sublime 


The  gift  of  God — the  heritage  of  Time  ! 
O  name  immortal !  of  celestial  birth  ; 
Grander  than  mountain  monuments  of  earth ; 
Unfading  as  the  stars  that  glow  by  night  ; 
Refulgent  as  the  sun's  unclouded  light  ; 
Sacred  to  childhood,  early  taught  the  word ; 
Beacon  of  lands  by  Revolution  stirred  ; 
Revered  by  all  whom  heaven's  broad  arches  span  j 
Graved  on  the  heart  of  universal  man  ; 
Unspotted  as  the  snow  that  Winter  brings  ; 
Melodious  as  the  song  that  Freedom  sings  ; 
Bright  in  the  past  on  all  that  patriots  claim  ; 
Splendid  in  future  as  eternal  Fame  ! 


O,  dear-bought,  native  land  !  of  thee  I  sing  ; 
For  thee  and  Freedom   touch    each    trembling 

string ; 
Home  of  the  brave,  of  Liberty  and  Truth, 
Fair  and  majestic  in  thy  peerless  youth — 


'FIDELITY.  37 

What  voice  thy  rising  greatness  can  portray  ? 
What  language  trace  thine  onward,  upward  way  ? 
The  star  of  empire,  toward  the  brightening  West, 
Leaving  the  Orient  world  in  gloom  to  rest, 
Ascends  the  everlasting  arches  high. 
And  beams  resplendent  in  thy  glorious  sky. 

Here  Freedom  finds  a  home — upon  the  soil 

Made  sacred  by  the  blood  of  patriot-toil  : 

And  here    her    gleaming,    star-gemmed   banner 

waves. 
Along  the  shore  the  proud  Atlantic  laves  ; 
O'er  fair  New-England's  granite  hills  sublime, 
Whose  storm-beat  brows  defy  the  blasts  of  Time  ; 
By  the  green  margin  of  her  Merrimack, 
And  loved  Connecticut,  a  crystal  track  : 
Where  flows  the  Hudson  in  romantic  pride, 
With  beauty,  grandeur,  mirrored  in  its  tide  : 
Where  Lake  George  sleeps,  and  Erie's  waters 

pour, 
Charged  with  the  thunder  of  Niagara's  roar  ; 


38 


FIDELITY 


Along  the  Susquehanna's  verdant  vale, 

And  where  Ohio's  yellow  waters  trail ; 

Where  the  blue  Catskills  kiss  the  passing  cloud, 

And  Alleghanies  rise,  rock-ridged  and  proud  ; 

Above  the  land  whose  broad  savannas  lie 

Beneath  the  radiance  of  a  sunnier  sky ; 

Along  the  prairies  of  the  giant  West, 

In  whose  encircling  arms  young  empires  rest  ; 

Beyond  Nevada — o'er  the  Golden  State, 

Born  like  Minerva,  strong  and  free  and  great ! 

Bright  be  thy  course — thy  glorious,  high  career — 
Land  of  the  free  !  to  patriot  freemen  dear  : 
Hope  of  the  world,  thou  art — be  Heaven  thy 

friend  ; 
In  Peril's  roughest,  gloomiest  day,  defend  ; 
Palsy  the  arm  that  lifts  its  maddened  power, 
To  dash  the  hopes  of  many  an  anxious  hour, 
And  sunder  ties  that  bind  us  to  the  years 
That  gave  these  blessings,  bought   with  blood 

and  tears  : 


FIDELITY.  39 

Hash  Passion's  storm-^-bid  all  thy  foes  delay, 
And  speed  thee  onward  in  thy  brightening  way  ; 
And  as  thy  stars  increase,  let  every  gem 
Be  set  in  Freedom's  glorious  diadem ; 
Haste  the  glad  hour,  beneath  the  reign  of  peace, 
When  all  that  Truth  and  Right  deplore,  shall 
cease  ! 


Genius,  when  faithful  to  its  sacred  trust, 
Shakes  its  bright  pinions  from  corroding  dust, 
And  soars  aloft  with  strength  supernal  given — 
Immortal  radiance  from  the  fires  of  heaven, 
Sun  of  the  mental  world,  that  streams  afar, 
From  land  to  land,  from  star  to  distant  star — 
Sublime  its  march  !  the  gloom  of  ignorance 
Fades  in  the  splendor  of  its  heavenly  glance  ; 
Fetters  that  long  have  bound  the  human  soul, 
Break  and  decay  beneath  its  high  control ; 
The  world  advances  in  its  spreading  light, 
And  nations  gaze,  astonished  at  the  sight  ! 


40  FIDELITY. 

As  peerless  Milton's  faithful  harp  was  strung, 
Of  Paradise,  in  loftiest  strains  he  sung  ; 
Soared  in  the  highest  heaven  of  boundless  thought, 
And  down  to  .earth  celestial  music  brought  ; 
Nor  shall  his  matchless  song  on  earth  expire, 
Till  Heaven's  decree  shall  wrap  its  realms  in  fire  ! 

Immortal  Bunyan,  in  a  prisoner's  cell, 
Dreamed  for  mankind,  and  they  his  dream  can 

tell; 
Childhood  delights  the  Pilgrim 's  way  to  tread — 
Age  wearies  not  through  all  the  Progress  led  ; 
For  Genius  beams  in  simplest  beauty  there, 
And  gives  to  Truth  a  charm  divinely  fair. 

What  grandeur  gilds  a  Newton's  deathless  name  ! 
Bright  as  the  stars  his  diadem  of  fame  : 
Faithful  to  Genius,  on  its  soaring  wings, 
Rising  o'er  earth's  stupendous  little  things, 
His  chariot  'mid  the  star-paved  heaven  he  rolls, 
And  there  the  wondrous  universe  beholds. 


FIDELITY.  41 

1  Soul-liberty  '  announced — conception  grand  ! 
Grasped  and  retained  as  by  a  martyr's  hand  ; 
How  burned  its  kindled  fire  with  deathless  flame, 
Along  the  path  of  exile  and  of  shame  ! 
It  lives — it  spreads — a  waking  world  is  blest 
By  thoughts  that  glowed  in  Roger  Williams' 
breast ! 

A  youth  obscure,  by  Genius'  spirit  fired, 
Became  the  Franklin,  of  the  world  admired, 
Who  converse  with  the  mighty  thunder  held, 
And  reasoned  till  its  fearful  power  was  quelled  ; 
Climbing  the  clouds  where  fiery  torrents  sped, 
He  wove  a  wreath  of  lightning  for  his  head  ! 

Another  name — in  sadness  be  it  spoke  : 
All  sorrowed  as  the  golden  bowl  was  broke — 
True  son  of  Genius,  from  an  humble  state, 
Rose  to  surpassing  heights  among  the  great  ; 
In  silent  awe  his  prophet-voice  was  heard, 
And  wisdom,  eloquence,  enshrined  each  word. 


42  FIDELITY. 

A  nation  mourns — the  Capitol,  in  gloom, 
Laments  the  mighty  trophy  of  the  tomb  ; 
On  all  New-England's  hills  a  pall  descends, 
And  its  deep  shadow  o'er  the  world  extends  ; 
'Neath  Marshfield's  drooping  elms,  he  loved  so 

well, 
Is  Webster's  grave — the  ocean-surge  his  knell ! 

Triumphant  Genius !  onward  speed  thy  course, 
Till  farthest  realms  shall  feel   thy   conquering 

force  ; 
Faithful  to  thee,  thy  sons  have  wonders  wrought, 
And  splendid  trophies  to  thy  feet  have  brought ; 
Invention's  teeming  sphere  exploring  still, 
No  boundary  marks  their  inexhaustive  skill ; 
What  startling  revelations  hence  shall  rise  ? 
What  subtle  powers  a  waiting  world  surprise  ? 
O  where,  on  earth,  in  air,  shall  active  mind 
Cease  to  advance — its  utmost  limit  find  ? 
Spanned  by  the  pinions  of  all-mastering  Steam, 
Wide  ocean  waters  but  a  ferry  seem  ; 


FIDELITY.  43 

Proud  mountains  bow — bridged  o'er  are  streams 

and  vales, 
Arid  on  the  lengthened,  level  track  of  rails, 
The  Iron  Steed  sublime,  with  lightning  eye, 
And  thunder-tramp,  runs  rushing  by. 
Bearing  its  mighty  load  of  living  souls, 
Or  countless  wealth  to  destined  station  rolls  ! 

Aloft  in  air — suspended  orer  the  head — 
Swing  the  long  sections  of  metallic  thread — 
Nerve  of  the  throbbing  world's  commercial  life, 
Highway  of  mind,  with  thought  and  impulse  rife, 
Where  to  our  words  electric  wings  are  lent, 
And  distant  millions  catch  the  message  sent ! 

Grand  is  the  thought,  and  every  heart  elates, 
When  all  this  glorious  sisterhood  of  States, 
The  self-same  day  declares,  with  silent  voice, 
By  freemen's  franchise,  for  its  chief  and  choice  : 
Scarce  done  the  ballot-battle,  peaceful  fought. 
Ere  winged  words  its  mighty  work  hath  taught ! 


44  FIDELITY. 

Go  to  the  Pulpit,  or  Instructor's  chair — 

See  sweet  Fidelity  presiding  there. 

• 
The  faithful  Teacher,  with  a  lowly  charge — 

What  loftier  station  ?  or  what  field  more  large  ? 
Each  of  that  group,  by  humble  walls  confined, 
Presents  the  grandeur  of  immortal  mind  ! 
Rude  it  may  be  and  like  the  marble  block, 
Ere  sculptor's  chisel  shapes  the  quarried  rock  ; 
But,  as  the  image  comes  by  toil  at  length, 
Complete  in  beauty,  symmetry  and  strength, 
So  plastic  spirits,  in  the  teacher's  hand, 
To  more  than  artist-excellence  expand. 
His,  more  potential  than  the  monarch's  sway, 
Directs  the  mind  that  in  a  coming  day, 
Shall  be  itself  the  nation's  grateful  pride, 
And  o'er  its  high  and  growing  hopes  preside. 
Succeeding  Senates  in  the  halls  of  State, 
Judge,  and  diplomatist,  and  magistrate, 
That  yet  shall  rule  in  wisdom,  or  disgrace 
The  sacred  trust  that  gives  them  power  and  place  ; 


FIDELITY.  45 

The  future  teachers  of  our  spreading  land, 
In  all  their  spheres  of  toil,  a  countless  band  ; 
The  CHRisT-called  ministers  of  faith  and  love. 
That  yet  shall  point  the  world  to  Heaven  above, 
And  those  who  fill  that  Heaven  as  ages  roll, 
And  those  who  fail  to  reach  that  glorious  goal — 
These  are  the  pupils  of  our  land  to-day, 
Empires  of  mind — how  great ! — to  guide  and 
sway. 

O  grave  of  Gallaudet  !  thy  precious  boon2 
Was  claimed  for  its  still  chamber — ah  !  too  soon  ! 
Though  sleeps  the  loved  one  there,  his  honored 

name 
Beams  in  the  beauty  of  a  well-earned  fame  ; 
His  hallowed  worth  and  genius  long  shall  live, 
And  still  to  thousands  choicest  lessons  give. 
O,  if  the  dumb  could  speak — our  humble  lays 
Would  fall  how  far  beneath  their  glowing  praise  ! 
O,  if  the  deaf  could  hear — our  words  reveal 
But  shadows  of  the  grateful  thoughts  they  feel  ! 


46  FIDELITY. 

Let  sorrow-stricken  hearts,  by  anguish  heaved, 
Through  kindly  ministrations  calmed,  relieved, 
By  heavenly  counsels  sweetly  soothed  to  rest, 
Rise  up  and  call  the  sacred  teacher  blest. 

The  Christian  Shepherd,  servant  of  his  Lord, 
How  blest  his  life — how  rich  his  high  reward ! 
The  almoner  of  joy,  he  scatters  far 
The  life-fraught  radiance  of  Bethlehem's  Star  ; 
He  walks  the  lowly  path  the  saints  have  trod, 
Directs  the  erring  to  the  Lamb  of  God  ; 
Beside  the  dying  couch  he  kneels  in  prayer, 
Brings  the  sweet  messages  of  mercy  there  ; 
The  mourning  spirit  of  its  sorrow  heals, 
Weeps  with  the  weeping  and  their  sadness  feels 
Though  worldlings  frown  and  infidels  deride, 
Life  have  its  !  Shady'  as  its  '  Sunny  Side,' 
He  joys  to  struggle  with  the  hosts  of  sin, 
And  holy  triumphs  for  the  Cross  to  win  ; 
To  roll  from  earth  the  whelming  tide  of  woe, 
And  bid  celestial  streams  of  gladness  flow  ; 


FIDELITY.  47 

The  wrathful  clouds  of  darkness  to  dispel, 
That  gather  thickly  from  the  gloom  of  hell ; 
To  paint  the  smiling  bow  of  heavenly  grace, 
The  one  bright  hope  of  a  despairing  race  ; 
And  lead  the  pilgrim-flock  in  wisdom's  way, 
To  life  and  glory  and  immortal  day  ! 

O !  such  was  he,  whose  saintly  form  and  brow3 
Low  in  a  new-filled  tomb  are  sleeping  now  ! 
Whose  flowing  locks  in  snowy  whiteness  crowned, 
In  the  glad  way  of  righteousness  were  found. 
A  watchman,  long  on  Z ion's  wall  he  stood, 
Guiding  the  wayward,  cheering  on  the  good  ; 
A  faithful  Pastor  through  the  wasting  years, 
Swerved  not  from  truth  by  flattery  or  fears  ; 
His  heart,  with  largest  charity  imbued, 
A  brother  found  in  every  soul  renewed  ; 
'Mid  all  the  changes  of  a  long  career, 
No  stains  on  his  consistent  life  appear  ; 
Erect  and  bold,  and  yet  with  humble  grace, 
He  filled  with  honor  his  exalted  place. 


48  FIDELITY. 

Thousands  upon  his  lips  have  grateful  hung, 
While  truth  divine  on  every  ear  hath  rung, 
In  sacred  eloquence,  sincere,  sublime, 
Like  prophet-voices  from  a  higher  clime  ; 
But  we,  those  tones,  so  rich  and  full  and  clear. 
No  more,  amid  our  festal  scenes,  shall  hear  ; 
Not  ours,  but  angel  ears  in  glory  bright, 
List  to  his  spirit- strains  with  rapt  delight. 
Long  here  shall  linger  like  some  heavenly  harp, 
The  blessed  memory  of   Daniel  Sharp. 

Where  yonder  ship  lies  waiting  by  the  shore, 
See  gathering  groups  at  early  noon-tide  pour : 
Sweetly  the  voice  of  praise  and  prayer  ascends, 
And  faithful  hearts  to  heavenly  care  commends. 
Why  long  those  veteran  spirits  to  return  ? 
Why  for  yon  fields  of  toil  and  sorrow  yearn  ? 
Why  leave  those  youth  endearing  scenes  of  home, 
And  haste  far  o'er  the  swelling  flood  and  foam  ? 
Why  to  loved  kindred  bid  a  last  farewell, 
'Mid  perils  in  a  pagan  land  to  dwell  ? 


FIDELITY.  49 

O,  ask  me  not,  each  heaven-born  spirit  cries  ; 
Behold,  a  world  in  sin  and  sorrow  lies  ! 
Here  we  surrender  all  the  heart  may  claim, 
And  life  itself,  for  Jesus'  precious  name  ! 
Gladly  we  go,  Truth's  heavenly  light  to  bear 
To  the  lone  dwellers  in  Death's  shadows  there ; 
Reveal  the  pathway  to  the  Christian's  tomb, 
And  cause  the  desert  like  the  rose  to  bloom. 

The  last  adieu  to  friends  and  kindred  given, 
Moved  by  selectest  gales  from  favoring  Heaven, 
The  freighted  vessel  from  her  mooring  starts, 
And  bears  away  those  missionary  hearts. 

O,  clap  your  hands,  ye  ocean  isles  afar, 
And  catch  the  glimmering  of  the  Morning  Star ! 
Rejoice,  ye  heathen  lands !  awake,  and  sing  ! 
Welcome  the  heralds  of  the  Heavenly  King  ! 
Be  glad,  each  lowly  vale,  and  mountain  high, 
Morn  breaks,  and  your  redeeming  hour  is  nigh  ! 


50  FIDELITY. 

O,  soon,  from  all  your  darkened  realms  shall  rise 
The  soul's  pure  incense  to  the  upper  skies  ! 
Temples  of  Boodh  and  Brahma  shall  decay, 
Long-cherished  idol- worship  pass  away, 
And  the  broad  Banner  of  the  Cross  unfurled, 
Shall  float  triumphant  o'er  a  ransomed  world ! 

How  sink  earth's  wealth  and  honors  all  away, 
Seen  in  the  light  of  that  approaching  day, 
When  this  fair  globe  and  yonder  spheres  sublime 
Shall  perish  in  the  awful  wreck  of  time  ! 

How  small  the  prize  for  which  the  hero  fought, 
Placed  by  the  glory  that  a  Newell  sought  ; 
And  how  shall  fade  the  warrior's  great  renown, 
Before  the  splendor  of  a  Judson's  crown  ! 

Fidelity  !  how  beamed  thy  glory  then, 
As  Christ's  abode  was  with  the  sons  of  men  J 
In  His  redeeming  work  through  love  begun, 
How  faithful  till  its  closing  act  was  done  ! 


FIDELITY.  51 

The  Wonderful  whom  prophet-visions  saw, 
Mortals  surveyed  with  strange,  mysterious  awe, 
While  at  his  word  was  stilled  the  tempest's  breath, 
Fled  dire  disease,  and  life  came  back  from  death  ! 
Dark  demons  trembled,  and  with  wild  dismay, 
Shrieked  in  His  presence  and  forsook  their  prey. 
O  !  let  mankind  their  sinful  deeds  deplore — 
Insult  and  scorn  from  lying  lips  he  bore  ; 
At  midnight  in  the  vale  where  Cedron-  flows, 
His  soul's  deep  agony  to  heaven  arose  ; 
On  his  pure  brow  the  treacherous  kiss  was  flung — - 
His  direful  doom  pronounced  by  human  tongue  ; 
Mantled  in  shame  to  Calvary's  height  was  led, 
The  thorn-wove  garland  on  his  holy  head  ; 
The  skies  grew  black,   and  shuddering   nature 

cried, 
As  on  the  Cross  the  world's  Redeemer  died  ! 
Up,  from  the  bondage  of  sepulchral  gloom, 
He  rose  majestic  from  the  vanquished  tomb, 
The  captor  captive  led,  as  bright  on  high, 
His  angel-chariots  cleaved  the  distant  sky, 


52  FIDELITY. 

Whence,  in  the  grandeur  of  the  heavenly  train, 
Astonished  earth  shall  see  him  come  again  ; 
Out  from  their  graves  the  startled  dead  shall  spring, 
Saints  with  immortal  raptures  greet  their  King  ; 
And,  as  undying  woes  o'erwhelm  his  foes, 
The  last  grand  drama  of  the  world  shall  close  ! 

Lingers  the  song — perchance  your  patience  tires  ; 
The  evening  speeds,  the  allotted  hour  expires  ; 
The  theme  must  drop,  my  tedious  numbers  cease ; 
But  God's  great  work  goes  on,  to  win,  increase ; 
The  ages  are  its  field,  our  race  its  aim  ; 
Truth  is  its  guide — eternity  its  fame  ! 

Hark  !  on  the  still,  soft,  ambient  air  of  even, 
Steal  sweet,  entrancing  symphonies  of  heaven, 
As  if  had  strayed  from  yon  celestial  choirs, 
Pure  angel  forms  that  tune  ethereal  lyres, 
And  bending  o'er  us  now  on  viewless  wings, 
Thev  breathe  the  song  each  faithful  spirit  sings. 


FIDELITY.  53 

Mortal !  wake  !  the  spell  is  broken  ! 

God  hath  made  thy  spirit  free  ; 
On  it  he  hath  stamped  the  token 
Of  thy  being  yet  to  be  ! 

In  the  future,  far  outstretching, 
See  the  picture  thou  art  sketching ! 

Life  is  not  thy  earthly  staying  ; 

Death  is  not  to  breathe  thy  last : 
Souls  can  not  be  here  delaying  ; 
Spirits  live  not  in  the  past  : 
Destiny  is  all  before  thee — 
Lo  !  its  star  is  beaming  o'er  thee  ! 

Art  thou  faithful  ?  upward  tending  ? 

Glory  waiteth  for  thee  there  ! 
Art  thou  faithless  ?  Life's  dark  ending 
Sinks  thee  downward  to  despair  ! 
Ask  thy  spirit  where  it  goeth — 
Question  closely — for  it  knoweth  ! 


54  FIDELITY. 

Mark  the  path  thy  feet  are  treading — 

See  thy  foot-prints  left  behind  : 
What  the  influence  thou  art  spreading 
In  the  commonwealth  of  Mind  ? 
Raiseth  it  toward  Heaven's  portal, 
Longings  of  thy  brother  mortal  ? 

Look  upon  the  boundless  acres, 

Where  the  whitening  harvest  stands  ? 
Hear  the  mandate — 'tis  thy  Maker's — 
There  employ  thy  heart  and  hands  : 
Reap  !  and  all-enriching  wages 
Shall  be  thine  through  coming  ages  ! 

Give  thy  life  to  earnest  duty  ; 
Give  the  energy  of  youth  : 
Then  shall  scenes  of  glorious  beauty 
Crown  fidelity  to  truth  f 

Earth  shall  bless  thee  for  thy  living — 
Heaven  shall  ring  with  thy  thanksgiving  ! 


Jfrieito  of  mu  Jcart. 

As  o'er  the  past,  the  hallowed  past,  reflection 
softly  sweeps, 

And  quick  revives  the  pleasing  scenes  that  mem- 
ory fondly  keeps, 

A  thrill  of  joy,  in  these  blest  thoughts,  steals  o'er 
my  spirit's  chords, 

And  wakens  there  a  melody  too  pure  for  mortal 
words. 
I  cannot  sing  that  rapturous  song — 
The  heart  alone  can  still  prolong 

Its  blissful,  life-inspiring  strains,   so   sweet,   so 
deep,  so  strong. 


56  FRIEND     OF     MY     HEART. 

How  like  an  angel  near  to  me  thy  lovely  image 
seems  ! 

It  comes  to  bless  my  solitude — to  beautify  my 
dreams. 

I  hear  again  thy  pleasing  voice,  I  see  thy  win- 
ning smile  ; 

And  O,  how  favored  to  commune  with  one  so 
free  from  guile  ! 
I  would  not  break  the  magic  spell ; 
I  would  not  those  emotions  quell, 

That  fill  the  fountains  of  the  soul  as  from  a 
crystal  well. 

How  sweet  the  time,  how  full  of  joy,  how  swift 
it  rolled  away, 

When  in  thy  presence  I  have  passed  the  linger- 
ing hours  of  day  ; 

When  we  have  gazed  on  nature  fair,  around, 
beneath,  above  ; 

And  felt  her  inspiration  deep,  and  heard  her 
voice  of  love  ; 


FRIEND      OF      MY      HEART.  57 

Or  when  we  sought  the  place  of  prayer, 
And  paid  our  souls'  devotions  there ; 
Such  hallowed  hours  of  fond  delight,  O !  would 

we  oft  might  share- 
When  other  scenes  shall   greet  your  eye,  and 

other  friends  are  found, 
Where  nature  in  her  loveliness  smiles  gloriously 

around ; 
O,  say,  will  then,  as  back  you  gaze,  a  thought 

to  me  be  given  ? 
And  shall  I  be  remembered  in  the  prayer  you 
breathe  to  heaven  ? 
Friend  of  my  heart  !  where'er  I  turn, 
Thy  lovely  image  I  discern  ; 
With  me  it  dwells  and  still  shall  live  in  mem- 
ory'.s  sacred  urn. 


|UaIm  of  JJrieita. 


The  Realm  of  Science  widely  spreads, 
All  boundless  are  its  vast  domains ; 

Majestic  mountains  lift  their  heads, 
And  smile  upon  the  beauteous  plains. 

Deep  winding  vales,  with  verdure  crowned, 
Extend  through  all  this  blooming  land  ; 

Here  silvery  lakes  and  streams  abound, 
And  breezy  forests  old  and  grand. 

Exhaustles  mines  of  glittering  gold 
Beneath  the  flowery  surface  lie  ; 

Above  is  gloriously  unrolled 

The  star-bright  banner  of  the  sky. 


the'realm    of    science.         59 

How  beautiful  the  Scholar's  World  ! 

What  lovely  scenes  are  here  enshrined ! 
What  radiant  splendors  are  unfurled, 

To  glad  the  eye  and  feast  the  mind  ! 

Ho  !  come,  and  climb  its  peerless  hills, 
Range  by  its  pearly-margined  tides, 

While  deepening  joy  thy  spirit  thrills, 
And  wisdom  every  footstep  guides. 

Turn  from  the  cares  of  sordid  strife, 
Let  nobler  ends  thy  labor  claim  ; 

Here  consecrate  the  powers  of  life, 
And  reach  the  goal  of  heavenly  fame  ! 


<%itap]rkn. 


Sweet  flower  of  love,  though  faded  here, 
And  o'er  thee  falls  the  sorrowing  tear, 
Faith  sees  thy  charms  in  Heaven  appear. 


The  night  will  end — the  morning  break  ; 
The  cherished  dust  shall  then  awake  ; 
Who  sleep  in  Jesus,  God  will  take. 


%\t  Christian  ^IaJwator. 

Morn  smiled  on  Rome.     Bright  from  the  oiient 

sky, 
Serene  and  fair,  the  golden  sunlight  fell 
In  floods  of  glory  on  the  Eternal  City. 
All  beautiful — the  world's  metropolis — 
Peerless  she  sat  upon  her  seven  glad  hills, 
Amid  the  windings  of  the  Tiber's  course. 
Wrapt  in  the  gorgeous  drapery  of  light, 
Her  gold-enameled  towers  and  glittering  domes 
Threw  back  the  splendor  of  the  glorious  sun, 
And  rivaled  him  in  beauty.     Monuments 
And  Pyramids — the  spoils  of  Egypt's  art — 
Whose  sun-lit  summits  kissed  the  bending  sky, 
Stood  in  imposing  grandeur.     Crystal  founts 


62      THE      CHRISTIAN     GLADIATOR. 

Leapt  from  their  hidden  channels  and  diffused 
Upon  the  ambient  air  their  silvery  spray. 
Tall,  dark  and  beautiful,  the  spreading  elms 
Waved  their  dense  foliage  o'er  the  public  walks, 
And  threw  their  shadows  on  the  Capitol. 
The  Forum,  stretching  toward  the  Palatine, 
Along  whose  fresco-ceilings  oft  had  rolled 
The  thunder-tones  of  Roman  eloquence, 
Was  there — and  Nero's  residence  of  gold, 
A  thousand  palaces  within  its  walls, 
Decked  by  the  countless  wealth  of  realms  sub- 
dued. 
The  Coliseum,  seat  of  Roman  sports, 
Upreared  its  front  sublime  in  new  and  broad 
Magnificence  j  and  temples  garnished  o'er 
With  living  canvas  and  the  breathing  marble — 
Fit  dwelling-places  of  immortal  gods  ! 

It  was  a  festal  day  in  Rome.     The  dense, 
Unnumbered  multitudes,  like  clustering  clouds 
That  track  the  sky,  had  hastened  to  the  scene 


THE     CHRISTIAN     GLADIATOR.       63 

Of  sport,  and  in  the  Coliseum  gathered — 
That  wondrous  relic  of  Vespasian's  power, 
Whose  heaven-aspiring  walls  of  adamant, 
Adorned  with  columns,  arches  and  arcades, 
Still  strike  the  gazer  with  resistless  awe. 
And  there  they  sat,  in  radiant  robes  attired — 
The  Emperor  and  his  court,  the  thoughtful  sage, 
And  the  stern  warrior  ;  tradesmen,  architects, 
Matrons  and  maidens,  and  Rome's  youthful  sons, 
Crowding  the  thousand  gleaming  galleries, 
That  stretched  away,  far  as  the  eye  could  reach, 
Around  the  Amphitheater.     They  came 
The  fight  of  men  with  beasts  untamed  to  view, 
And  see  the   Christian  Gladiator  die, 
Unpitied,  on  the  broad  arena. 

Long 
Had  the  impetuous  combats  of  the  wild, 
Infuriate  monsters  of  the  forest-depths, 
And  deadlier  strife  of  reckless  criminals, 
Been  witnessed  by  the  rapt,  delighted  throng. 


64      THE      CHRISTIAN     GLADIATOR. 

Who,  gazing  from  their  lofty  seats,  inured 
To  scenes  of  conflict  and  of  carnage,  saw 
The  scattered  fragments  of  dismembered  forms, 
The  dying  struggles  of  the  vanquished  foe, 
With  hearts  to  pity  closed — and  gladly  hailed 
The  conqueror's  triumph  with  successive  shouts, 
Sweeping  the  vast  enclosure  round  and  round, 
And  rolling  upward  to  the  arching  skies, 
Like  pealing  thunders  of  Olympian  Jove  ! 

They  paused — and  every  eye  was  fixed  intent 

Upon  the  Christian  Gladiator,  brought 

To  the  arena  by  a  Roman  Lictor, 

To  expiate  the  crime  of  teaching  men 

A  new  religion.     Gladly  had  he  heard 

The  touching  story  of  the  Crucified, 

As  from  the  great  Apostle's  lips  it  fell 

In  strains  of  soul-subduing  eloquence. 

He  felt — believed  it — and  celestial  joy 

Filled  all  the  channels  of  his  soul.     As  forth 

He  went  among  the  people,  he  rebuked 


THE     CHRISTIAN     GLADIATOR.       65 

Their  idol-worship,  and  proclaimed  abroad 
The  wonders  of  the  Cross.     The  faithless  laid 
Their  impious  hands  upon  the  guiltless  one, 
And  basely  dragged  him  to  the  judgment-hall. 
False,  false,  they  witnessed  and  secured  his  doom, 
To  meet  in  deadly  strife  the  mightiest  beast, 
Numidia's  forest-king. 

The  I actor  led 

The  Christian  Gladiator  forth.     His  sword 
Hung  careless  at  his  side.     As  if  alone, 
Holding  communion  with  himself,  he  stood 
Unmoved,  and  mindless  of  the  imposing  scene. 
Before  him  crouched  his  savage  combatant. 
Silence  had  thrown  upon  the  gazing  throng 
Her  magic  spell.    Calm  was  the  Christian's  brow, 
Erect  his  form — his  heavenly  visage  won 
The  sympathy  of  all.     He  bent  his  knee 
Upon  the  sand,  already  damp  with  gore, 
Clasped  his  pure  hands  together,  and  upraised 
His  beaming  eye  toward  heaven,  and  silently 


66      THE      CHRISTIAN     GLADIATOR. 

Implored  Omnipotence  to  shield  him  round 
With  a  divine  defense.     His  prayer  was  heard. 
The  smile  serene  that  played  upon  his  lips 
Told  how  he  felt  the  presence  of  that  Power, 
Which  erst  had  kept  the  Judah-captive  safe 
In  the  dark  den  of  lions.     Strange  emotions 
Thrilled  through  the  multitude  that  almost  made 
Life's  crimson  streams  congeal.   An  all-pervading 
Stillness ?  intense,  profound  as  that  which  reigns 
Amid  the  charnel  chambers  of  the  tomb, 
Brooded  on  all,  like  the  unbroken  spell 
Of  death  !     The  lion's  mane  had  fallen  low, 
His  eye  had  lost  its  wildness,  and  he  seemed 
To  shrink  before  the  presence  of  his  strange 
Antagonist.     Urged  by  the  Lictor's  goad, 
He  gathered  in  the  majesty  of  might, 
And  furious  on  the  Gladiator  fell. 
His  sword  the  monster  for  a  while  repelled, 
Till  overpowered  by  far  superior  strength, 
He  dropped  at  last  beneath  the  lion's  feet  ! 
Faint  murmurings  of  mingled  joy  and  grief 


THE     CHRISTIAN     GLADIATOR.       67 

Rose  on  the  waveless  air.     Triumphant  notes 
Began  to  swell — when  suddenly  up-sprang 
The  Christian,  sternly  grasped  his  sword  afresh, 
And  nerved  with  more  than  earthly  energy, 
He  grappled  with  the  foe  anew,  and  bade 
His  weapon  drink  the  life-blood  of  his  heart ! 
'Twas  done — the  thunder-shout  of  victory, 
Of  life  and  freedom  to  the  wondrous  man, 
Sped  like  a  whirlwind  through  the  mighty  crowd, 
And  thrice  it  swept  the  Coliseum  round, 
As  up  it  rolled  from  tier  to  lofty  tier, 
And  echoed  back  from  wall  to  answering  wall ! 

Forth  from  the  throng,  and  grateful  to  his  God, 

The  Christian  Gladiator  went,  prepared 

By  trial  and  by  conquest,  to  surmount 

The  ills  of  life,  the  wiles  of  Godless  men — 

To  publish  tidings  of  celestial  joy 

To  thousands  wrapt  in  dark  idolatry,   • 

And  bear  the  glorious  standard  of  the  Cross, 

Like  him  who  "  fought  with  beasts  at  Ephesus." 


68      THE     CHRISTIAN     GLADIATOR. 

He  had  a  nobler  victory  still  to  win, 
And  laurels  of  a  brighter  hue  to  gain  ; 
'Twas  his  to  point  the  way  to  Heaven — to  save 
The  lost — to  wear,  at  last,  a  Crown  of  Life  ' 


Joger  Williams's  Jlatli4 

Rock  by  the  lonely  shore, 
Where  briny  billows  roar, 

On  thee  I  stand. 
Here  erst  the  Indian  strayed  ; 
Here  once  his  dwelling  made  ; 
And  here  his  children  played 

Upon  the  sand. 

Years  rolled  their  circles  round, 
And  here  they  still  were  found — 

That  red-browed  race  : 
Their  hunting  grounds  were  here, 
Where  dwelt  the  bounding  deer  ; 
Where  oft  with  bow  and  spear, 

They  joined  the  chase. 


70        roger    williams's    rock 

Moved  by  a  deep  desire, 
Perchance  the  aged  sire, 

With  woes  opprest, 
Came  here  at  eventide  ; 
O'er  all  his  sorrows  sighed  ; 
To  the  Great  Spirit  cried 

For  joy  and  rest. 

Perchance,  upon  this  stone, 
The  trusting  maid,  alone, 

Hath  placed  her  feet — 
Her  lover's  form  to  view, 
Gliding  the  forest  through, 
Faithful  and  ever  true, 

His  love  to  meet. 

Once  passed  along  this  wave, 
A  patriot  pilgrim  brave, 
Who  landed  here  ; 
And  Roger  Williams  then, 
As  he  surveyed  this  glen. 


roger    vvilliams's    rock.         71 

By  wondering  forest  men 

Was  hailed,   "  What  cheer  ?' 

He  met  the  Indian  band, 
And  took  their  friendly  hand, 

Upon  this  stone. 
Free  from  oppression's  rod, 
This  peaceful  shore  he  trod, 
With  heartfelt  praise  to  God, 

For  kindness  shown. 

Yon  goodly  city's  name 

Still  speaks  its  founder's  fame — 

Yes,   Providence 
Tells  of  the  guiding  Power, 
That  in  dark  peril's  hour, 
Had  been  the  Exile's  tower, 

And  strong  defense. 

The  Indian  tribes  are  dead, 
Or  far  away  have  fled ; 
No  sons  remain 


72        roger    williams's    rock. 

Of  painted  chiefs  of  yore, 
Whose  warwhoops  echoed  o'er 
Old  Narragansett's  shore, 
In  Philip's  reign. 

The  Exile,  too,  is  gone, 
While  years  have  circled  on 

Their  ceaseless  round. 
The  truths  for  which  he  fought, 
The  principles  he  brought, 
As  this  fair  land  he  sought, 

Here  yet  are  found. 

And  still  may  they  abide 
Along  this  peaceful  tide : 

Till  earth's  last  shock, 
May  Freedom  here  remain, 
Religion  hold  her  reign, 
And  Truth  her  sway  maintain, 

Firm  as  this  Rock ! 


%[)t  Stab  (Mr. 


She  sleeps  in  beauty. — Heavenly  fair, 

Her  little  form  seemed  not  as  dead  ; 
As  though  an  angel  slumbered  there, 

I  gazed  upon  that  cradle  bed. 
Death's  \\m\(\*had  touched  the  silver  strings, 

Which  bound  the  spirit  to  its  clay  ; 
And,  as  it  soared  on  seraph  wings, 

She  slept — how  beautiful  she  lay  ! 

She  sleeps  ill  silence. — O,  how  still 
And  soft  her  peaceful  slumbers  are  ! 

No  thunder  sound,  nor  clarion  shrill 
Can  wake  that  gentle  sleeper  there. 

The  voice  of  friends  she  heeds  no  more, 
Nor  lists,  as  near  her  grave  they  tread  ; 


T4  THE      DEAD      CHILD. 

Nor  will  that  dreamless  sleep  be  o'er. 
Till  Christ  shall  call  the  silent  dead. 

She  dwells  with  Jesus. — Not  a  tear 

Will  ever  dim  her  heavenly  eye  ; 
For  in  that  bright  celestial  sphere, 

No  grief  is  found,  nor  danger  nigh. 
Safe,  in  the  Savior's  gentle  arms, 

Which  once  the  little  children  prest, 
And  clothed  in  purest,  loveliest  charms, 

She  finds  a  sweet  and  peaceful  rest. 

She  dwells  in  heaven. — O,  who  would  call 

Her  radiant  spirit  from  its  home, 
And  cause  it  here,  in  mortal  thrall, 

This  sad  and  sinful  earth  to  roam  ? 
Unfading  are  her  joys  above, 

And  happier  far  that  blest  abode, 
Where  all  her  endless  life  is  love, 

Resplendent  with  the  smile  of  God  ! 


Jfiafotrs  of  Jfrieitbsljip. 

The  Flowers  of  Friendship  bloom 
Along  the  chequered  path  we  tread, 
And  oft  around  us  sweetly  shed 
Their  rich  perfume. 

But  they  are  fragile  flowers  ; 
A  cold  rough  blast  may  cause  their  hue 
To  fade  away  like  morning  dew, 
In  summer  hours. 

Select,  with  choicest  care, 
The  purest  plants  in  Friendship's  field, 
And  they  shall  sweetest  fragrance  yield, 
And  blossom  fair. 


76  FLOWERS      OF      FRIENDSHIP. 

Amid  life's  darkest  gloom. 
Their  hallowed  light  shall  meet  thine  eye  ; 
And,  joined  with  friendship  from  the  sky, 
Will  bless  thy  tomb. 


^equitm. 


Lowly  in  the  grave  reposing, 
Gentle  maiden,  sweetly  sleep  ; 

While  its  portals  o'er  thee  closing, 
Shall  their  sacred  treasure  keep  ; 

Till  again  thy  youth  assuming, 

Thou  appear,  in  beauty  blooming. 

Soft  and  silent  are  thy  slumbers  ; 

Dreamless  thy  long  night  of  rest  ; 
Naught  of  woe  thy  spirit  cumbers, 

Welcomed  now  among  the  blest, 
Where  to  thee  a  home  is  given, 
?Mid  the  blissful  bowers  of  Heaven. 


78  REQUIEM. 

Tears  bedew  the  dust  above  thee — 
Sacred  is  thy  peaceful  tomb  ; 

Planted  here  by  those  that  love  thee, 
Fairest  flowers  shall  brightly  bloom, 

Pointing  through  their  beauties  vernal, 

Up  to  life  and  love  eternal. 

Angel-harps  and  seraph-voices 

Strangely  charm  thy  raptured  soul  ; 

While  in  gladness  it  rejoices, 

Free  from  aught  of  Earth's  control  : 

Sorrow  there  shall  enter  never — 

Youth  and  beauty  bloom  for  ever. 

Rest !  upon  thy  couch  reclining, 

While  the  grave  its  trust  shall  keep  ; 

And  as  we,  this  life  resigning, 

Fold  our  arms  in  Death's  long  sleep, 

May  we  then,  the  skies  ascending, 

Meet  where  bliss  is  never-ending  ! 


fiius, 

WITH  A  BOUQUET,  TO  A  YOUNG-  FRIEND. 

How  like  to  thee, 
These  flowers,  so  sweetly  beaming, 
While,  beauty  o'er  them  gleaming, 
And  light  around  them  streaming, 

They  smile  in  glee. 

Well,  be  thou  glad  ; 
Enjoy  a  blest  existence, 
Be  sorrow  at  a  distance, 
Give  all  ennui  resistance, 

And  ne'er  be  sad. 


80  LINES. 

Rejoicing  birds 
Are  gaily  singing  o'er  thee, 
All  nature  smiles  before  thee, 
Let  not  thy  heart  deplore  thee, 

In  mournful  words. 

Dear  Friend — and  yet, 
Permit  a  little  teaching, 
That  comes  with  Truth's  beseeching ; 
Perhaps  you'll  call  it  preaching, 

Still,  don't  forget. 

This  bunch  of  flowers, 
That  I  for  thee  have  braided, 
With  beauty's  life  pervaded, 
Will  all  be  withered,  faded, 

In  a  few  hours. 

And  so,  will  soon 
Earth's  joys  expend  their  measure. 


LINES.  81 

Fleeting  as  dreams  of  pleasure, 
Fickle  as  Fancy's  treasure. 
Or  clouds  at  noon. 

Earth's  hopes,  so  bright, 
To  future  good  extending, 
With  scenes  of  beauty  blending, 
Sometimes  reveal  their  ending, 

A  cheerless  blight. 

The  friends  we  love, 
Whose  presence  soothes  our  sadness, 
And  fills  our  hearts  with  gladness — 
As  if  impelled  by  madness, 

Death  bears  above. 

Though  not  in  this, 
Yet,  in  the  world  supernal, 
Where  life  is  ever  vernal, 
And  pleasures  are  eternal, 

Reigns  endless  bliss. 


82  LINES. 

Perennial  there, 
The  tearless  eye  entrancing, 
Wherever  falls  its  glancing, 
Celestial  flowers  are  dancing 

'Mid  balmiest  air. 

And  there,  shall  meet, 
To  part  no  more  for  ever, 
The  friends  whom  naught  can  sever  ; 
For  Death  shall  enter  never 

The  golden  street. 

May  thine,  fair  one, 
Be  friends  of  true  affection; 
Be  Christ  your  first  selection, 
And  yours  His  kind  protection, 

Till  life  is  done. 

Then  shall  you  rise, 
All  earthly  hopes  releasing, 


L  I  N  E  S  .  S3 

To  scenes  of  bliss  unceasing, 
Where  joys  are  still  increasing, 
In  Paradise. 

Sweet  Friend,   to  thee 
I  bring  this  Jittle  token, 
Which  speaks,  in  accents  broken, 
The  words  I  would*  have  spoken — 

Remember  me! 


"Lives  there  a  man  with--soul  so  dead, 
Who  never  to  himself  hath  said, 
This  is  my  own,  my  native  land." 

New-England — New- En  gland  ! 

Fair  land  of  my  birth, 
The  home  of  my  fathers — 

The  brave  of  the  earth  ! 
I  love  thy  bold  mountains. 

Thy  rivers  and  dales, 
Thy  warm  summer  breezes, 

Thy  wild  winter  gales  ! 


New-England — New-England  ! 

Blest  land  of  the  free  : 
When  away  from  thy  borders, 

My  thoughts  turn  to  thee  ; 


NEW-ENGLAND.  85 

■ 

For  the  smile  of  thy  daughters, 

Sweet  pleasure  imparts, 
And  the  voice  of  thy  sons, 

Is  the  voice  of  glad  hearts. 

New-England — New-England  ! 

I  love  to  recall 
The  deeds  of  thy  heroes — 

Thy  history  all  : 
What  memories  linger, 

My  bosom  to  thrill, 
Round  Plymouth's  old  Rock — 

Over  Banker's  crowned  Hill  ? 

New-England — New-England  ! 

Rich  treasures  are  thine  ; 
Thy  Churches  and   Schools — 

May  they  never  decline  ! 
O,  these  are  thy  guerdon 

Of  glory  so  bright, 
Since  the  May-Flower  came — 

A  new  star  in   the  night ! 


86  N  E  W  -  E  N  G  E  A  N  D  . 

New-England — New-England  ! 

My  heart's  cherished  land ; 
As  long  as  thy  mountains, 

Like  battlements  stand — 
As  long  as  thy  rivers, 

So  freely  shall  flow, 
Of  wrong  and  oppression, 

Be  thou  the  stern  foe ! 

Ne  w-  E  n  glan  d — Ne  w-  England! 

My  dear  native  land  ; 
Kind  Heaven  protect  thee 

From  Vandal-foe "s  hand  : 
May  Liberty's  banner, 

Unstained,  ever  wave, 
O'er  the  home  of  the  Free — 

O'er  the  Patriot's  grave! 


®jje  Salter's  iSeltome, 

My  Father,  dear  Father !   oh  welcome  again, 
Where  home  has  long  waited  thy  presence  to 
greet : 
But  loneliness  here  shall  no  longer  remain — 
To-day  thon  hast  come,  and  the  parted  ones 
meet  ! 

My  Father,  dear  Father !  the  music  of  iove, 
That  wells  in  my  heart  and  would  rush  to  my 
song, 
Seems  more  like  the  tones  that  are  chanted  above, 
Than  sounds  that  awake  in  the  strains  I  pro- 
long:. 


88  the  daughter's  welcome. 

My  Father,  dear  Father  !  I  welcome  thee  home ! 
The  home  on  the  shores  of  thine  own  happy- 
land  : 
How  oft  have  my  thoughts,  o'er  the  dark  ocean's 
foam, 
Gone  forth  to  the  spot  where  I  feigned  thee 
to  stand ! 

My  Father,  dear  Father  !  we  hail  thy  return  ! 
Thy  wife  and  thy  children  all  welcome  thee 
here  ; 
Our  love  in  thy  absence  hath  ceased  not  to  burn : 
It  now  glows  in  fullness  thy  glad    heart  to 
cheer. 

My  Father,  dear  Father  !  our  spirits  rejoice 
As  here  we  surround  thee  with  pleasure  once 
more  : 

For  this  happy  union,  with  heart  and  with  voice, 
Our  grateful  thanksgiving  to  Heaven  we  pour. 


(Llje  fast  of  jjis  Mtt 

'Twas  to  a  dark  and  solitary  glen, 

Amid  New-England's  scenery  wild  and  bold, 
A  lonely  spot  scarce  visited  by  men. 

"Where  high  the  frowning  hills  their  summits 
hold, 

And  stand  the  storm-beat  battlements  of  old — 
Returned  at  evening  from  the  fruitless  chase, 

Weary  and  sad,  and  pierced  with  autumn's  cold. 
And  laid  him  mournful  in  his  rocky  place, 
The  grief-worn   warrior  chief — last  of  his  once 
proud  race. 

He  wrapt  his  mantle  round  his  manly  form. 
And  sighed  as  on  his  cavern  floor  he  lay  ; 

8^ 


90  T  HE      LAST      OF      HIS      RACE. 

His  bosom  heaved  with  passion's  varying  storm, 
While  he  to  melancholy  thoughts  gave  way, 
And  mused  on  deeds  of  many  a  by-gone  day. 
Scenes  of  the  past  before  his  vision  rose — 
The  fearless  clans  o'er  whom  he  once  held 
sway, 
The  bloody  battle-field  and  vanquished  foes, 
His  wide  extended  rule,  which  few  had  dared 
oppose. 

He  sees  again  his  glad  and  peaceful  home, 

His  warlike  sons  and  cherished  daughters  dear  ; 
Together  o'er  his  hunting-grounds  they  roam, 

Together  they  their  honored  sire  revere  ; 

But  trickles  down  his  cheek  the  burning  tear, 
As  fades  the  spectral  vision  from  his  eye  : 

Low   at   his   shrine   he   bows  with  listening 
ear, 
And  up  to  the  Great  Spirit  sends  a  cry, 
To  bear  him  to  his  rest,  and  bid  his  sorrows 
die. 


THE      LAST      OF      HIS      RACE.  91 

Tired  of  the  lonely  world  he  longs  to  go 
And  join  his  kindred  and  the  warrior  band, 

Where  fruits  for  him  in  rich  luxuriance  grow, 
Nor  comes  the  pale-face  to  that  spirit-land  : 
Ere  he  departs  for  aye,  he  fain  would  stand 

Again  upon  his  favorite  rock  and  gaze 

O'er  the  wide  realm  where  once  he  held  com- 
mand, 

Where  oft  he  hunted  in  his  younger  days, 

Where,  in  the  joyful  dance,  he  sang  victorious 
lays. 

Up  the  bold  height  with  trembling  step  he  passed, 

And  gained  the  fearful  eminence  he  sought  : 
As  on  surrounding  scenes  his  eye  was  cast, 
His    troubled  •  spirit    racked    with    frenzied 

thought, 
And  urged  by  ruin  on  his  empire  brought, 
He  uttered  curses  on  the  pale-faced  throng. 
With    whom   in  vain    his   scattered   warriors 
fought  ; 


92  THE      LAST      OF      HIS      RACE. 

And  on  the  sighing  breeze  that  swept  along, 
He  poured  the  fiery  words  that  filled  his  venge- 
ful song  : 

Fair  home  of  the  red  man  !  my  lingering  gaze 
On  thy  ruin  now  rests,  like  the  sun's  fading  rays  ; 
'Tis  the  last  that  I  give — like  the  dim  orb  of  day, 
My  life  shall  go  down,  and  my  spirit  away. 

Loved  home  of  the  red  man  !  I  leave  thee  with 

pain, 
The  place  where  my  kindred,  my  brothers  were 

slain  ; 
The  graves  of  my  fathers,  whose  wigwams  were 

here  ; 
The  land    where  I  hunted  the  swift-bounding 

deer. 

No  longer  these  hills  and  these  valleys  I  roam, 
No  more  are  these   mountains  and   forests  my 
home, 


THE     LAST     OF      HIS     RACE.  93 

No  more,  on  the  face  of  the  beautiful  tide, 
Shall  the  red  man's  canoe  in  tranquility  glide. 

The  pale-face  hath  conquered — we  faded  away, 
Like  mist  on  the  hills  in  the  sun's  burning  ray, 
Like  the  leaves  of  the  forest  our  warriors  have 

perished  ; 
Our  homes  have  been  sacked  by  the  stranger  we 

cherished. 

May  the  Great  Spirit  come  in  his  terrible  might, 
And  pour  on  the    white   man  his   mildew   and 

blight ; 
May  his  fruits  be  destroyed  by  the  tempest  and 

hail, 
And  the  fire-bolts  of  heaven  his  dwellings  assail. 

May  the  beasts  of  the  mountain  his  children  de- 
vour, 

And  the  pestilence  seize  him  with  death-dealing 
power ; 


94  THE      LAST      OF      HIS      RACE. 

May  his  warriors  all  perish,  and  he  in  his  gloom, 
Like  the  hosts  of  the  red  man,  be  swept  to  the 
tomb. 

Scarce  had  the  wild  notes  of  the  chieftain's  song 
Died  mournful  on  the  evening  breeze  away, 

Ere  down  the  precipice  he  plunged  along 
'Mid  ragged  cliffs  that  in  his  passage  lay  : 
All  torn  and  mangled  by  the  fearful  fray, 

Naught  save  the  echo  of  his  fall  arose. 

The  winds  that  still  around  that  summit  play, 

The  sporting  rill  that  far  beneath  it  flows, 

Chant,  where  the  Indian  fell,  their  requiem  o'er 
his  woes. 


Co  Its  Me. 


M 

Come  hither,  dearest  one  of  earth,  come  sit  thee 

by  my  side, 
For  thou  art  e'en  more  lovely  now  than  when 

my  blushing  bride ; 
Departing  years  have  shown  thy  worth,  and  tested 

well  thy  love, 
And  I  have  found  in  thee  a  friend  next  to  my 

Friend  above  : 
Sweet  kindred  soul — my  own  fond  wife  ! 
A  world  of  bliss  'mid  earthly  strife — 
I  bless  thee,  kindest  Heaven,  for  this,  the  choicest 

boon  of  life  ! 


96  T  O      M  Y      W  I  F  E  . 

The  glow  of  thy  affection  pure,   the  beauty  of 

thy  mind, 
Have  round  me  thrown  their  golden  links,  my 

willing  heart  to  bind  ; 
They've  shed  upon  my  path  their  rays,  so  sweet, 

so  calm,  so  bright, 
That  they  have  changed  a  darkened  world  to 

one  of  hallowed  light  ; 
Of  earth  thou  art  my  Eden  fair, 
The  sharer  of  my  joy  and  care. 
The  blest  companion  of  my  heart,  in  thought 

and  wish  and  prayer. 

Beloved  !  when  I  saw  thee  first,  and  met  thee 

as  a  friend, 
And  only  in  acquaintanceship  our  hearts  began 

to  blend, 
My  youthful  soul  was  kindled  then,  and  unknown 

raptures  felt  ; 
Unconsciously   I  breathed    thy  name   while   in 

devotion  knelt  ; 


T  O     M  Y     WIFE.  97 

And  every  day.  before  my  eye, 
Came,  like  a  seraph  from  the  sky. 
Thy  lovely  image,  dearest  one,  and  in  my  dreams 
'twas  nigh. 

Oft  arm  in  arm,  with  joyful  steps,  o'er  flowery 

fields  we  trod  ; 
Oft,  listening  to  the  Sabbath-bell,  we  sought  the 

house  of  God  ; 
And  many  a* blissful   hour  flew  by,  when  sitting 

side  by  side  ; 
But  happiest  was  the  moment  when  I  took  thee 

as  my  bride  ; 
O  then,  my  beautiful,  were  given 
Our  pledge  to  each,  our  vows  to  Heaven  ; 
And  naught  hath  yet,  for  three  bright  years,  our 

deep  affection  riven. 

In  mutual  hope  and  faithful  trust,  and  in  con- 
fiding love. 

Receiving  from  our  Father's  hand  rich  blessings 
from  above. 


98  TOMYWIFE. 

Amid   life's   duties,   toils   and  cares,  along  our 

pilgrim  way, 
Together  we  have  come  with  joy  increasing  till 
to-day  ; 
Thou,  like  a  guardian  spirit  fair, 
Hast  sought  my  every  ill  to  share  ; 
For  thee,  O  priceless  boon  of  Heaven,  shall  rise 
incessant  prayer. 

And  on  our  path,  and  in  our  home,  hath  beamed 

a  precious  light, 
Replete  with  new  and  wondrous  charms,  in  hope 

and  promise  bright  ; 
An  angel  baby's  face  and  form,  and  laughing  life 

of  glee, 
A  golden  link  of  love  to  bind  my  heart  more 

close  to  thee  ; 
Amusing,  mirthful,  elfin  girl, 
A  treasure  sweet — immortal  pearl ! 
O  ever  round  our  darling  may  celestial  pinions 

furl. 


T  O     M  Y     W  I  F  E  .  99 

Our  little  world  of  peaceful  joy,  with  cloudless 
sky  serene  : 

By  sordid  hearts  and  vulgar  eyes,  is  never  known 
nor  seen  ; 

The  sweetest  bliss  can  ne'er  be  found  in  glitter- 
ing wealth  alone 

Nor  does  it  dwell  in  royal  courts,  nor  on  ambi- 
tion's throne  ; 
In  hearts  of  faith  and  love  it  springs, 
And  blesses  those  to  whom  it  clings, 

Sheltered    and    sweetly  shadowed  by  its  soft, 
angelic  wings. 

Thou  loveliest  one  of  all  on  earth,  of  my  own 

self  a  part, 
The  choicest  of  celestial  gifts,  and  nearest  to 

my  heart — 
O  never  shall  this  arm  forbear,  my  chosen  to 

defend, 
And  never  shall  this  heart  grow  cold  till  life's 

last  pulse  shall  end  ! 


100  T  O     M  Y     W  I  F  E  . 

Sweet  star  of  life,  serenely  bright, 
Dispelling  gloom  with  purest  light — 
Can  such  affection  know  decay,  or  die  in  death's 
dim  night  ?  m 

The  love  that  bindeth   Christian  hearts  is  not 

alone  of  earth, 
It  is  an  effluence  from  God,  and  hath  a  heavenly 

birth  ; 
Its  spirit  thrills  our  wedded  souls  like  music  tones 

divine  ; 
Its  holy  fire  of  sympathy  through  all  our  path 

shall  shine  ; 
Then,  in  those  radiant  skies  afar, 
Where  naught  can  e'er  its  beauty  mar, 
'Twill  ever  beam  in  glory  with  the  Bright  and 

Morning  Star  ! 


THE     KAREN     VILLAGE. 


%\t  fb«u  tillage : 

OB, 

MISS  ELEANOR  MACOMBEK,  AT  DONa-YAN. 

O'er  the  distant  seas  a  village 

Nestles  under  glowing  skies, 
'Mid  the  nations  oriental, 

Where  the  realm  of  Burmah  lies  ; 
Where  the  Salwen  flows  in  beauty, 

'Mid  the  flowers  of  tropic  vales  ; 
Where  the  clouds  of  moral  midnight 

Shaded  long  the  hills  and  dales. 

Ages  fled,  and  countless  seasons 

Rolled  successively  away, 
Like  the  ancient  stars  of  heaven, 

Seen  by  night  and  lost  by  day  : 


104  THE     KAREN     VILLAGE. 

Ever  changeless — still  abiding, 
As  of  past  and  olden  time, 

Gloomily,  unbroken  darkness 
Rested  on  that  heathen  clime. 

Ruled  Ah-wah  that  clustering  village 

Chieftain  of  a  dread  control ; 
Deeper  than  the  blackest  darkness, 

Were  the  stains  upon  his  soul. 
There,  all  fierce  and  foulest  passions 

Reveled  in  unbridled  sway  ; 
Cruel  rites  and  beastly  orgies 

Oft  began  and  closed  the  day. 

In  the  vale  of  shadows  dwelling, 
Void  of  Heaven's  immortal  light ; 

Sad  their  course  through  mazy  errors, 
Where  no  day  succeeded  night ; 

Where  the  Gospel  never  taught  them, 
How  from  guilt  and  woe  to  flee  ; 


THE      K  A  II  E   N      VILLAGE.  10« 

How  to  break  the  awful  bondage 
Of  a  dread  idolatry. 

Yassals  of  a  heartless  priesthood, 

All  obsequious  to  their  nod : 
Soulless  Boodh,  by  them  and  millions, 

Worshiped  as  the  only  God. 
Conscience  smothered,  Passion  rampant, 

Right  unheeded,  Truth  unknown, 
Lived  they  worse  than  brutes  that  perish, 

Till  their  mortal  hour  had  flown. 

And  the  Future,  faintly  rising, 

Like  the  image  of  a  dream, 
Or  as  specters,  wild  and  haggard, 

To  the  guilty  convict  seem — 
Future — joyful  to  the  Christian — 

Had  for  '.hern  no  holy  peace  : 
All  the  glory  of  their  heaven 

Was  from  being's  self  to  cease. 


06  THE      KAREN     VILLAGE, 

In  that  sin-bee] ouded  village, 

Rose  no  Christian  temple  fair ; 
No  blest  Sabbath  dawned  in  stillness  ; 

Pealed  no  bell  upon  the  air  : 
Beautiful  upon  the  mountains, 

Came  no  messenger  of  love, 
Publishing  the  gladsome  tidings 

Of  Salvation  from  above. 

There  no  happy  throngs  assembled, 

Free  from  earth-born  care  and  strife, 
Joining  in  the  prayer  and  anthem, 

Hungering  for  the  Bread  of  Life. 
Never  had  the  name  Emmanuel, 

Shed  its  holy  fragrance  there, 
Placing  in  the  rayless  midnight, 

Hope's  pure  star  above  despair. 

All  was  darkness — all  was  sadness  ! 
Who  can  paint  the  dismal  gloom  ? 


THl     KAREN     VILLAGE.  107 

Age  and  youth,  in  quick  succession, 
Rushing  downward  to  the  tomb  I 

Every  footstep  uttered — echoed, 
As  the  generations  passed — 

Oh  !  the  awful  destination 

Reached,  and  evermore  to  last ! 

Shall  for  aye  the  heathen  nations 

Sink  in  misery's  burning  flood  ? 
Shall  the  tidings  reach  them  never 

Of  the  Savior's  cleansing  blood  ? 
Oh  !  shall  they,  the  gospel  knowing, 

Fail  to  spread  its  blessed  light — 
Fail  to  plant  its  glorious  standard 

In  the  realms  of  pagan  night  ? 

No  ! — upon  the  ocean  surges, 

Bound  to  India's  sultry  clime, 
Go  the  messengers  of  Jesus, 

On  this  enterprize  sublime  : 


108  T  H  E      K  A  H  E  N     V  I  L  I.  A  G  E  . 

Clad  in  bright  and  heavenly  armor, 
Trusting  in  Jehovah's  name  ; 

Darkened  realms  for  him  to  conquer, 
Is  their  pure  and  lofty  aim. 

'Mid  a  thousand  fearful  perils, 

Pressed  by  trials  hard  and  sore,- 
There  they  kindle  fires  celestial, 

Streaming  backward  from  the  shore  : 
Spreadiug  through  the  lonely  jungles, 

Filling  all  the  vales  with  light, 
Gilding  tops  of  distant  mountains — 

O  !  the  grandeur  of  the  sight ! 

One  there  was,  a  gentle  spirit, 

'Mid  that  missionary  band, 
Who  for  Christ's  sake  and  the  Gospel's, 

Home  and  friends  and  native  land, 
All  had  left,  and  left  for  ever, 

And  had  gone  far  hence  alone, 


THE     KAREN     VILLAGE.  109 

Braving  perils  of  the  Ocean, 
And  the  fear  of  ills  unknown. 

See  her  in  that  heathen  village, 
Weeping  with  a  burdened  soul ; 

Witnessing  the  woeful  ruin. 

Wrought  by  sin's  unchecked  control  : 

See  her,  as  a  lovely  angel, 

Sheltered  save  by  Heavenly  Grace  ; 

Not  a  kindred  spirit  with  her, 

*■ 

'Mid  the  demons  of  the  place. 

Whence  that  more  than  mortal  courage, 

Gentle  Teacher,  in  thy  breast  ? 
Zeal  that  fired  the  ancient  martyrs, 

All  thy  nature  hath  possessed  : 
Love,  that  brought  to  earth  the  Savior, 

Pitying  lost  and  guilty  man  ; 
Aye,  his  love  constraining,  brought  thee, 

Blessing  bright  to  dark  Dong-Yan. 

la 


110  THE      KAREN     VILLAGE. 

To  the  Chieftain's  rustic  palace, 

With  a  trusting  heart  she  hies  ; 
To  that  home  of  heathen  vileness, 

Bears  a  message  from  the  skies. 
Lists  the  wife,  with  deep  emotion, 

While  the  page  of  truth  is  oped  ; 
Light  supernal,  quick  descending, 

Shows  the  gloom  where  long  she  groped. 

Wondrous  was  the  melting  story, 

Calvary's  bloody  Cross  revealed  ; 
Wondrously  the  voice  of  mercy 

Through  her  spirit's  chambers  pealed ! 
Gladly  welcomed  were  the  tidings 

Of  a  priceless  pardon  free  ; 
Brightly  gleamed  the  path  to  Heaven — 

To  a  blest  eternity  ! 

Hark  !  the  wicked  Chieftain's  footstep, 
Echoes  through  the  gloomy  hall ; 


THE     KAR  E  N     VILLAGE.  Ill 

Passion  mads  him,  home  returning 

From  a  drunken  festival. 
Naught  cares  he  for  Heaven's  glad  message, 

Nor  for  Heaven's  sweet  messenger  ; 
Ready  to  despise  the  mercy, 

And  to  pour  abuse  on  her. 

"  Go,"  at  length  the  convert  uttered, 

"  Go,  and  all  that  story  tell, 
How  the  Savior  came  and  suffered — 

Died  to  rescue  souls  from  hell. 
That  shall  reach  his  darkened  spirit, 

That  shall  move  his  iron  heart, 
Show  his  guilt  and  bring  repentance, 

Bidding  tears  of  sorrow  start." 

Trembling,  toward  the  Chieftain's  presence- 
Shrinking  of  a  spirit  chaste, 

Shuddering  at  Guilt's  dread  visage — 
Softly  on,  her  footsteps  haste. 


L  12  THE     KAREN     VILLAGE. 

There,  with  faith  that's  more  than  mortal, 
Courage  high,  angelic,  grand, 

And  a  purpose  pure  as  heaven, 
See  that  gentle  being  stand  ! 

Like  the  cadences  of  seraphs, 

Dropping  from  the  jasper  walls, 
Sweet  the  voice  of  Eleanor 

On  Ah-wah's  dark  spirit  falls. 
Up  before  his  mental  vision, 

Like  the  brilliance  of  the  sun, 
Rose  the  glory  of  Redemption, 

And  the  Chieftain's  heart  was  won ! 

O,  the  triumph  of  the  Gospel ! 

O,  the  victory  of  love  ! 
O,  the  mightiness  of  weapons, 

Prom  the  armory  above  ! 
Can  the  force  of  human  valor, 

Can  the  warrior's  steel  and  mail, 


THE     KAREN     VILLAGE.  113 

Can  all  art  of  man's  invention 
Siege  the  soul  and  thus  prevail  ? 

Truth  is  glorious — Truth  will  conquer  ! 

'Tis  the  Spirit's  piercing  blade, 
Cleaving  heart  and  soul  asunder, 

While  it  heals  the  wound  it  made. 
Truth  Divine  and  love  celestial, 

Weapons  in  a  female  hand. 
Mighty  through  the  Power  that  gave  them, 

Trophies  win  on  pagan  land. 

Angels  o'er  that  village  hovered, 
And  unseen,  their  pinions  waved  : 

Up  to  Heaven  they  bore  the  tidings 
Of  repentant  sinners  saved. 

Converts,  like  the  drops  of  morning, 
Gathered  to  the  place  of  prayer  ; 

Wild  Karens  in  Christian  service 

Told  how  grace  had  triumphed  there. 

10* 


114  THE      KAREN      VILLAGE. 

Now  the  Sabbath  shed  its  fragrance, 

And  a  sacred  day  was  named  ; 
Now  true  worshipers  assembled 

Where  the  Gospel  was  proclaimed  ; 
Where  the  words  of  heavenly  wisdom, 

To  the  aged  and  the  young, 
Were  unfolded  in  their  beauty, 

Or  in  holy  hymns  were  sung. 

Lo  !   upon  the  beckoning  mountains, 

In  the  jungle-vales  between, 
Far  along  the  winding  rivers, 

All  around  that  brightening  scene, 
Fell  the  beams  of  sacred  splendor, 

From  the  light  enkindled  there, 
And  a  song  of  strange  rejoicing 

Swelled  along  the  ambient  air. 

Thus  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel, 
Going  down  the  course  of  time, 


THE,    KAREN     VILLAGE.  115 

Waves  o'er  every  realm  its  banner, 

Making  all  its  path  sublime  ! 
Thus  the  influence  of  the  pious, 

Every  holy  act  and  choice, 
Lives  and  spreads,  and  coming  ages 

Feel  its  power  and  hear  its  voice  ! 

There's  a  wail  within  that  village — 

Deepest  sorrow  steals  apace, 
While  the  voice  of  lamentation 

Echoes  sadly  through  the  place  : 
'Tis  the  solemn  wail  of  mourning — 

Oh !  the   Teacher  is  no  more  ! 
Her  rejoicing,  ransomed  spirit 

Hath  departed  earth's  dark  shore  ! 

To  the  wings  of  holy  triumph, 
Her  serene,  glad  soul  was  given, 

And  along  the  path  of  angels, 
It  was  wafted  up  to  Heaven  ! 


116  THE     KAREN     VILLAGE. 

From  her  chosen  field  of  labor, 

Which  for  four  brief  years  she  blessed, 

Jesus  called  his  faithful  servant 
To  her  home  of  glorious  rest  ! 

"  Tell  my  kindred  o'er  the  ocean" — 

In  her  low,  expiring  voice — 
"  Not  a  sorrow  now  comes  o'er  me, 

But  my  spirit  doth  rejoice, 
That  from  dearest  home  and  country, 

1*0  this  far  and  foreign  zone, 
With  a  blessing  for  the  wretched, 

I  have  come  and  toiled  alone." 

Gazing  from  the  heights  of  glory, 
On  the  varying  scenes  below, 

How,  with  sweet  and  heavenly  rapture, 
Doth  her  angel-spirit  glow, 

As  she  marks  the  path  of  duty, 
In  the  earthly  course  she  trod  ; 


THE      KAREN     VILLAGE.  117 


Sees  her  influence  widening,  brightening, 
Radiant  with  the  smile  of  God  ! 


Dead  ? — her  name  and  deeds  are  living, 

Treasured  in  a  thousand  hearts ; 
And  her  memory  loved  and  cherished. 

Sacred  pleasure  still  imparts. 
Others  yet,  as  Time  advances, 

Dwelling  where  the  Teacher  came. 
Shall  arise  and  call  her  blessed, 

And  delight  to  speak  her  fame. 

Let  the  Amazon,  for  glory, 

Struggle  through  the  field  of  death  ; 
Let  the  Belle  of  Wealth  and  Fashion 

Seek  the  world's  admiring  breath  : 
As  the  meteor's  startling  splendor 

Fades  for  ever  from  the  sky  ; 
Like  the  fame  of  errant  spirits, 

So  they  live  or  quickly  die  ! 


118  THE     KAREN     VILLAGE. 

Not  the  flood  of  awful  fury, 

Not  the  tempest  in  its  might, 
Marked  by  wrath  and  desolation, 

Spreadeth  gladness  and  delight  : 
'Tis  the  stream  that  gently  floweth 

Flowers  the  mead  and  dark  defile  ; 
'Tis  the  soft,  sweet  shower  descending, 

Bids  a  thousand  gardens  smile. 

Lives,  whose  eulogy  is  written, 

In  a  blessing  on  the  heart, 
Wrought  through  love  and  self-denial, 

Ne'er  from  memory's  home  depart : 
Graved  upon  the  soul's  bright  tablet, 

Wasting  time  can  ne'er  efface, 
Heaven  shall  keep  the  blazing  record 

In  its  own  immortal  place! 

There,  a  galaxy  of  jewels, 
Fair  in  glory's  diadem, 


THE     KAREN     VILLAGE.  119 

Shines  with  fadeless  beams  celestial, 
Each  an  honored,  priceless  gem  : 

Upward,  like  a  star  ascending, 
One  by  one  in  triumph  rose  ; 

High  amid  them,  sweet  Macomber, 
Like  a  seraph,  sings  and  glows  ! 

In  this  world  of  sin  and  sorrow, 

Ah  !  what  scenes  of  woe  abound  ! 
Wide-spread  realm  and  clustering  village, 

Wrapt  in  darkness,  sad,  profound  ! 
Ignorance,  like  Night's  deep  shadows, 

Rests  on  countless,  deathless  minds  ; 
War,  caste,  bondage — every  evil, 

Millions  in  its  fetters  binds  ! 

But  a  happier  day  is  coming, 

Lo  !  its  tinted  dawn  appears  ! 
Prophets  see  its  glorious  advent — 

Era  of  millenial  years  ! 


120  THE      KAREN     VILLAGE. 

Then  shall  earth,  like  primal  Eden, 
Filled  with  joy  and  virtue,  bloom  ; 

Then  the  ills,  now  darkening  o'er  it, 
Shall  have  found  a  rayless  tomb  ! 

Here's  a  field  for  each  glad  spirit, 
„  Warm  with  impulse  high  and  pure, 
Where  all  influence  sweet  and  holy, 

Present,  future,  good  procure  : 
Gaze  upon  the  boundless  landscape  ; 

From  its  shadows  ne'er  recoil  ; 
Give,  to  make  it  bloom  in  beauty, 

Hearts  of  love  and  hands  of  toil ! 

Science  !  bring  thy  contributions  ; 

Music  !  thy  enchanting  voice  ; 
Poetry  !  thy  choicest  garlands, 
To  adorn  and  make  rejoice  : 
'   Blest  Religion  !  these  shall  aid  thee, 
In  the  triumphs  thou  shalt  gain  ; 


THE      KAREN     VILLAGE.  121 

And  may  all  thy  lovely  daughters 
Joy  to  speed  thy  glorious  reign  ! 

When  the  light  of  mortal  being 

Darkens  in  Death's  shadowy  vale, 
When  all  beauteous  earthly  prospects 

From  the  fading  vision  fail, 
O,  what  peace  shall  fill  the  spirit, 

Conscious  of  a  life  for  good  ! 
O,  how  rich  the  Master's  blessing — 

She  hath  done  whatever  she  could! 


11 


Cjje  peaktlij  Jfrieift. 


There  is  a  Friend  that  stieketh  closer  than  a  Brother. 
Prov.  xviii.  24. 


There  is  a  Friend  above, 
Whose  pure  affection  far  transcends  all  others' ; 
No  earthly  kindred,  parents,  sisters,  brothers, 

Like  Jesus,  love. 

His  friendship  is  sincere, 
And    firm,    and    changeless ;    not    like    meteors 

gleaming  ; 
But  on  his  ransomed  ones  'tis  ever  beaming, 
Bright,  calm  and  clear. 


THE      HEAVENLY      FRIEND.  123 

He  is  a  faithful  Friend  ; 
In  Him,  the  trembling  soul  in  hope  confiding, 
May  safely  trust — His  love  is  e'er  abiding, 

Even  to  the  end. 

Kfls  sympathy — how  sweet ! 
Like  softest  music  o'er  the  spirit  stealing, 
It   soothes   the    troubled    heart    with    heavenly 
healing, 

And  joy  complete. 

His  words  of  glorious  truth, 
Like  cadences  of  love  from  heaven  descending, 
Allure  and  guide  to  scenes  of  bliss  unending, 

And  fadeless  youth. 

He  with  almighty  power, 
Can  give  support  when  earthly  hopes  are  dying  ; 
And  safe  is  every  soul  to  Jesus  flying, 

In  trial's  hour. 


124  THE      HEAVENLY     FRIEND. 

Celestial,  peerless  Friend  ! 
Around  me  cast  thy  kind  and  sheltering  pinions 
And  take  my  spirit  to  thy  blest  dominions, 

When  life  shall  end. 

O  give  that  gracious  Gue£t 
A  throne  in  every  heart,  earth's  sons  and  daugh- 
ters ! 
His  friendship  is  a  fount  of  living  waters. 

And  heavenly  rest. 


ebitatorp  limim 


How  glorious  is  thy  dwelling, 

O  Lord  of  hosts,  on  high, 
Where  angel  anthems  swelling, 

Fill  all  the  boundless  sky : 
In  more  than  Eden  splendor, 

The  heavenly  mansions  shine, 
Where  praise  the  ransomed  render, 

In  worship  all  divine. 

On  earth,  among  the  lowly, 
Thou  hast  a  gracious  reign — 

The  kingdom  of  the  holy, 
The  church,  the  born-again  ; 

And  temples,  reared  by  mortals, 

The  homes  of  truth  and  love, 

11* 


126  DEDICATORY      HYMN. 

Are  hallowed  as  the  portals 
Of  Paradise  above. 

Make  this  thy  habitation, 

And  here  thy  name  record  ; 
With  blessing  and  salvation, 

Our  prayers  and  toils  reward  ; 
Let  dews  of  grace  descending, 

On  every  heart  distill  ; 
And  humble  throngs  come  bending 

To  know  and  do  thy  will. 

The   Spirit's  living  beauty, 

To  all  thy  servants  give, 
And  strength  for  every  duty, 

That  each  to  thee  may  live  ; 
Till,  in  his  chariot  gleaming, 

The   Savior  comes  to  bear 
The  souls  of  his  redeeming, 

To  heavenly  mansions  fair. 


dientitu  aitb  \\t  Soal. 

Eternity  ! — tremendous  word  ! — when  first 
Pealed  out  Jehovah's  all-creating  voice. 

Which  bade  the  light  o'er  gloom  and  chaos  burst, 
And  orbs  celestial  in  their  course  rejoice — 

Thy  years  were  countless  as  the  stars  on  high, 

And  thou  was  then,  as  now,  the  same — Eternity  ! 

When  crashing  spheres  shall  wail  the  death  of 
Time, 

Melting  away  at  God's  consuming  ire  ; 
When  He  shall  wrap  the  earth  in  flames  sublime, 

And  bid  the  starry  lamps  of  heaven  expire — 
Thou,  in  thy  mystic  track,  shalt  tireless  run, 
Only  the  childhood  of  thy  endless  years  begun  ! 


128     ETERNITY  AND  THE  SOUL. 

The  Soul,  undying  as  its  glorious  Sire, 
Must  live  like  thee  in  its  immortal  state  ; 

And  joys  that  wake  the  purest  seraph's  lyre 
Will  bid  it  welcome  at  thy  golden  gate  j 

Or,  anguish  keener  than  the  world  can  show, 

Will  sink  it  deeply  down,  amid  thy  darkest  woe  ! 

Eternal  destinies  the  soul  await — 

The  grand  decision  trembles  on  an  hour ; 

And  if  its  vast  concern  be  left  too  late, 
Oh,  how  shall  it  escape  avenging  power  ? 

Scan,  mortal,  well,  the  path  thy  feet  have  trod ; 

Eternity  proclaims,  Prepare  to  meet  thy  God  ! 


(%  fegtr  Cleanstfc. 

Matt.  viii.  2 — 4. 

Among  the  crowd  that  Jesus  taught, 
As  wondrous  words  with  wisdom  fraught, 
Fell  from  his  lips,  a  heavenly  fount, 
In  the  glad  Sermon  from  the  Mount, 
A  loathsome  Leper  there  was  found, 
Attentive  to  the  Gospel  sound. 

Enchained,  enwrapt — deep  through  his  soul, 
The  rising  tides  of  feeling  roll, 
While  the  Discourse  in  grandeur  grows, 
And  thoughts  so  solemn  mark  its  close  ; 
Then,  as  the  Teacher  rose,  withdrew, 
He  and  the  wondering  throng  pursue. 


130  THE      L  E  P  E  R     CLEANSED. 

"  Though  all  unclean  and  cast  aside, 
And  every  sacred  boon  denied, 
O,  will  not  this  Great  Prophet  give 
The  favor  wished  and  bid  me  live  ? 
May  I  not  fall  before  his  face, 
Confess  his  power  and  trust  his  grace?" 

What  conflict  raged  within  his  heart ! 

To  Christ  would  go — then  feared  to  start  : 

But  more  and  more  his  need  was  felt, 

Till  forth  he  rushed,  and  humbly  knelt, 

And  prayed  to  him  of  heavenly  mien, 

"  Lord,  if  thou  wilt,  canst  make  me  clean. " 

"  I  will — "be  clean  !"  the  Savior  said, 
And  touched  the  lowly  Leper's  head  : 
Quick  through  his  hot  and  wasting  frame 
A  thrill  of  strangest  rapture  came  ; 
Disease  and  pain — each  vestige  gone, 
He  hailed  a  new  creation's  dawn  ! 


THE     LEPER     CLEANSED.  131 

Jesus  divine  !   what  wondrous  power 
Attends  thy  word  in  mercy's  hour ! 
O  trembling  sinner.  Christ  be]ievTe; 
And  his  recovering  grace  receive  ; 
Then,  cleansed  of  guilt,  and  all  forgiven, 
Thou'lt  live  renewed — an  heir  of  Heaven ! 


%  Cjnisiiait  fgtk 

It  is  high  time  to  awake  out  of  sleep ;  for  now  is  our  salva- 
tion nearer  than  when  we  believed.  The  night  is  far  spent, 
the  day  is  at  hand  :  let  us  therefore  cast  off  the  works  of  dark- 
ness, and  let  us  put  on  the  armor  of  light. — Rom  xiii.  11,  12. 

Sons  of  light !  awake  from  sleeping  ! 

Rouse  again  to  active  life  ; 
Z ion's  faithful  friends  are  weeping, 

While  ye  falter  in  the  strife. 
Starting  from  your  death-like  slumbers, 

Gird  once  more  your  armor  on  ; 
Join  the  Savior's  marshaled  numbers, 

Marching  where  himself  hath  gone. 

Pilgrims  !   wake  !   on  ground  enchanted, 
Never-ceasing  vigils  keep : 


A      CHRISTIAN      LYRIC.  133 

'Tis  by  ghouls  and  syrens  haunted. 

Linger  not  in  periled  sleep. 
Sentinels  !  by  Heaven  appointed, 

Battle  till  the  warfare  close  ; 
In  the  strength  of  God's  Anointed, 

Triumph  o'er  your  wily  foes  ! 

Down  the  stream  of  time  descending, 

Priceless  souls  of  glorious  birth  ! 
Here's  the  conflict  and  its  ending — 

"  Heaven  is  won  or  lost  on  earth  !" 
Slumber  not  !  life's  days  are  waning  ; 

Soon  will  come  its  latest  night  ; 
Up  !   improve  the  time  remaining, 

Ere  your  souls  shall  wing  their  flight. 


Wrapt  in  slumber  ?     Heirs  of  glory. 

Saved  from  sin  and  endless  woe. 

Bought  with  blood  !  recall  the  story  ; 

See  from  whence  that  blood  did  flow  ! 
13 


134  A     CHRISTIAN     LYRIC. 

On  the  brow  of  Calvary  gazing, 
On  the  pit  from  whence  yon  came, 

Wake  !  redeeming  love  be  praising  ; 
Let  your  spirits  catch  the  flame  ! 

Shadowy  night  is  fast  departing, 

Dawn  of  day  is  near  at  hand  ; 
Christian  !  up  !  from  slumber  starting  ; 

Heaves  in  view  the  spirit-land  ! 
Dashes  round  thy  bark  the  billow, 

Dangers  threaten — seize  the  helm  ! 
Sleeper  !  wake  !  and  leave  thy  pillow  ; 

Look  !  behold  the  glorious  realm  ! 

Lo !  the  world,  with  all  its  minions, 

Rolls  along  its  gilded  car  ; 
Satan  flaps  his  gloomy  pinions 

O'er  the  darkened  earth  afar. 
Church  of  God  !   oh,  sleep  no  longer  ; 

Rise  in  faith's  unearthly  might ; 


A      CHRISTIAN      LYRIC.  135 

Thou  than  hosts  of  hell  art  stronger  ; 
Wake  !  and  spread  thy  peerless  light  ! 

Even  where  thy  rays  are  beaming, 

Foes  of  God  are  gathering  there  ; 
Waken  from  thy  drowsy  dreaming, 

Try  the  strength  of  earnest  prayer. 
Souls  are  sinking  to  perdition 

'Neath  the  glorious  gospel  sound  ; 
Urge  for  them  the  strong  petition, 

Let  the  lost  in  Christ  be  found. 

See  !  the  Man  of  Sin  approaching, 

Clad  with  dark  and  stolid  might, 
On  our  dearest  hopes  encroaching, 

Spreads  his  desolating  blight. 
Sons  of  light  !   awake  from  sleeping, 

Give  to  all  the  Book  divine  ! 
Truth  and  Freedom  now  are  weeping — 

Shall  our  altar-fires  decline  ? 


136  A     CHRISTIAN     LYRIC. 

Bid  the  trumpet  of  Redemption 

Greet  Columbia's  farthest  shore ; 
Here  demand  our  Lord's  preemption 

For  the  agonies  he  bore. 
On  the  prairie  and  the  mountain, 

In  the  valley,  rich  and  fair, 
By  the  river,  lake,  and  fountain, 

Plant  the  Rose  of  Sharon  there. 

Hark  !  from  o'er  the  distant  waters 

Myriad  voices  sweep  along, 
Heathen  sons  and  heathen  daughters 

Vainly  round  their  idols  throng ; 
Up  to  heaven  their  groans,  ascending, 

Roll  along  the  orient  sky  ; 
Wake  !  thine  ear  attentive  lending, 

List  the  Macedonian  cry  ! 

Quickly  send  the  bread  of  heaven, 
Ere  they  die  in  pagan  gloom, 


A     CHRISTIAN     LYRIC. 

Ere  their  priceless  souls  are  given, 
Hopeless,  to  a  dreadful  doom. 

Must  they  downward  rush  for  ever 
Plunging  deep  in  misery's  tide  ? 

Shall  the  message  reach  them  never — 
"  Ho  !  for  you  the  Savior  died  I" 

Jesus  !  shall  thy  ransomed  number 

Cease  their  faithful  watch  to  keep  ; 
O'er  the  dying  nations  slumber, 

Till  in  death  they  fall  asleep  ? 
Oh  !  in  view  of  hell's  dark  portal, 

And  of  heaven's  all-glorions  hope — 
Real  things,  unseen,  immortal — 

Bid  their  heavy  eyelids  ope  ! 

Breathe  upon  us,  Holy  Spirit! 

Fill  our  souls  with  heavenly  light  ; 

Let  us  life  from  thee  inherit, 

Life  that  knows  no  slumbering  night. 
12* 


137 


138  A      CHRISTIAN      T,  Y  R  i  C  . 

In  thy  pure  and  ample  showers 
Bathe  the  chosen  hosts  of  God; 

Q,uicken,  strengthen  all  their  powers, 
Till  the  shadowy  vale  is  trod. 

Then,  how  bright,  from  death  awaking, 

Shine  the  victor-saints  above, 
Gloriously  from  Jesus  taking 

Crowns  of  endless  life  and  love ! 
Farewell,  fears  and  self-denials — 

Mortal  night  hath  passed  away : 
Farewell,  vigils,  toils,  and  trials ; 

Welcome,  everlasting  day ! 


&j)c  Utonung  Star. 

I  will  give  him  the  Morning  Star. — Rev.  ii.  28. 

Wrapt  in  the  gloom  of  nature's  night, 
In  folly's  path  I  wandered  far, 

Nor  found  a  ray  of  cheering  light, 

Till  Christ  I  saw — the  Morning  Star. 

Arid  when  it  beamed  upon  my  soul, 
Brighter  than  gold  or  radiant  spar, 

My  spirit  broke  from  sin's  control, 
And  blest  the  glorious  Morning  Star. 

As  toward  the  world  unseen,  unknown, 
I've  passed  on  time's  resistless  car, 

The  darkest  clouds  have  quickly  flown 
Before  the  Bright  and  Morning  Star. 


140  THE      MORNING      STAR. 

As  fondest  hopes  shall  fade  away, 

Or  aught  life's  fairest  treasures  mar, 
While  here  on  earth  I  lingering  stay, 

0  give  to  me  the  Morning  Star. 

When  through  death's  cold  and  fearful  stream, 

1  pass  from  mortal  scenes  afar, 
O  let  upon  my  pathway  beam 

The  brightness  of  the  Morning  Star. 

Then,  in  the  regions  of  the  blest, 
Gathered  where  ransomed  spirits  are, 

My  eye,  undimmed,  shall  ever  rest 
Upon  the  Heaven-loved  Morning  Star. 


little  lattie. 


Beautiful,  the  precious  treasure, 

Lovely,  darling,  only  child, 
Source  of  new  and  varying  pleasure, 

Making  joy  where'er  she  smiled. 

t 
Suddenly  the  floweret  faded, 

All  its  beauty  turned  to  gloom ; 
Life  and  hope  and  joy  were  shaded, 

By  the  darkness  of  the  tomb. 

Budding  flower  !  thou  hast  not  perished, 
Though  on  earth  beheld  no  more ; 

Dearly  loved  and  fondly  cherished, 
Thou  dost  bloom  on   Eden's  shore, 


142  LITTLE      HATTIE. 

Endless  life  to  thee  is  given, 
And  unfading  beauty  there, 

'Mid  the  seraph  hosts  of  heaven, 
Far  from  sorrow,  sin  and  care. 

Ye  whose  tear-drops  flow  like  water, 
Let  your  grief  and  anguish  end  ; 

He  who  took  your  angel  daughter, 
Is  your  Father  and  your  Friend. 

Trust  Him  now,  amid  your  sadness, 
Let  his  promise  be  your  stay  ; 

He  can  change  your  gloom  to  gladness, 
He  can  turn  your  night  to  day. 

Mourn  ye  not,  though  hopes  are  blighted, 
Lift  above  the  tear-dimmed  eye  ; 

By  celestial  radiance  lighted, 

Faith  reveals  your  home  on  high. 


LITTLE      HATTIE.  143 

There  your  lovely  Hattie  dwelleth, 
There  ye  all  may  meet  again, 

Joining  in  the  song  that  swelleth, 
Joyful  o'er  the  heavenly  plain. 


f%  louse  of  |j  ragtr. 

Sweet  is  the  House  of  Prayer, 

Dear,  hallowed  place  ; 
Oft  let  me  thence  repair, 
For  heavenly  grace. 
There  Jesus  meets  his  own, 
There  he  makes  his  glory  known, 
While  saints  surround  the  throne, 
And  seek  his  face. 

Lord,  in  this  House  of  Prayer, 
Thy   Word  be  taught  ; 

Here  ransomed  souls  declare 

What  grace  hath  wrought  : 

Here  precious  numbers  meet, 

Sitting  at  the   Savior's  feet, 


T  H  E      II  O  C  S  E      0  F      PRATER.  145 

While  living   waters  sweet 
To  them  are  brought. 

Blest  be  this  House  of  Prayer, 

Lord,   to  thee  given  : 
Here  hearts  thy  mercy  share, 

By  sorrow  riven. 
O.  bless  thy  people  dear. 
And  to  all  who  gather  here, 
May  this  glad  place  appear 

The  Gate  of  Heaven. 

When  in  the  House  of  Prayer, 

We  meet  no  more  ; 
When  all  our  earthly  care 

Is  ever  o'er  : 
O,  may  we  meet  above. 
In  our  Father's  house  of  love, 
And  Jesus'  friendship  prove, 

On  Canaan's  shore. 


fukra  f  rafting  St.  ptlnia,' 


MRS.  SARAH  B.  JUDSON. 

Farewell,  thou  rocky  isle  of  deathless  fame  ! 

Lonely  and  sad,  thy  fading  cliffs  I  see  ; 
But  not  that  he,  of  earth-immortal  name, 

There  died  in  exile,  bids  me  turn  to  thee  : 
Oh,  dearer  far  to  me,  that  sacred  trust, 

Which  thou  shalt  hence  in  solemn  stillness 
keep  ; 
Till,  in  the  resurrection  of  the  just, 

She  wakes  to  life  from  death's  brief  night  of 
sleep. 

Thus  waned  Helena  from  his  lingering  sight, 
As  o'er  the  waves  the  home-bound  vessel  sped 


J  U  D  S  O  N    LEAVING    ST.   HELENA.     147 

While  deep  he  felt,  in  all  its  cheerless  blight, 
A  heart  bereft  and  sorrowing  for  the  dead. 

Ah  !  who  can  tell  the  grief  of  that  dark  hour, 
Save  he  whose  spirit  knew  its  keenest  pang, 

When  voices  of  the  past,  with  throngfnl  power, 
Through  memory's  halls  in  mournful  cadence 
rang  ! 

And  there's  a  lovely  group,  with  weeping  eyes, 

Of  children  dear,  bereaved  and  motherless, 
For  cold  in  death  that  precious  bosom  lies, 

On  which  they  oft  had  shared  the  sweet  caress, 
To  which  did  they  in  full  affection  cleave, 

While  changeless  love  watched  o'er  their  in- 
fant years  ; 
'Twas  meet — 'tis  nature's  impulse  to  relieve 

The  sadness  of  the  heart  in  gushing  tears. 

That  other  scene  now  fills  his  heart  once  more 
Of  sorrow  deep,  which  none  could  feel  but  he. 


148     J  U  D  S  O  N    LEAVING     ST.    HELENA. 

When  called  to  lay,  on  Bnrmah's  distant  shore, 
His  early  trust  beneath  the  Hopia-tree — 

Her,  who  to  him  with  quenchless  love  had  clung, 
And  cheered  his  heart  in  peril's  darkest  day, 

Whose  winning  voice  in  angel  accents  rung, 
To  guide  the  lost  in  wisdom's  peaceful  way. 

The  Hand  that  took  the  boon  itself  had  given, 

Another  dear,  angelic  form  bestowed, 
A  spirit  chastened  by  the  love  of  Heaven, 

A  soul  where  naught  but  pure  affection  glowed. 
Again  bereft — who  shall  the  grief  reveal, 

When    thus    were   sundered   life's  endearing 
ties  ? 
What  untold  anguish  may  the  heart  conceal, 

When  its  own  self  in  its  companion  dies ! 

Sweet  ministers  of  Heaven  were  they  on  earth, 
Who  shared  in  turn    his  toils  and   blest  his 
heart, 


JUDSON    LEAVING    ST.    HELENA.     149 

Attesting  well  their  precious,  priceless  worth, 
Till  each,  from  him  they  loved,  was  called  to 
part. 
Their  rest  is  sweet — the  grave  on  Burmah's  shore 

Retains  in  quiet  there  its  hallowed  dust ; 
The  rock-bound  isle,  where  ocean  billows  roar, 
Shall    guard    the   tomb   that  holds  a  sacred 
trust. 

On  speeds  the  ship  that  bears  the  man  of  God, 

While  o'er  his  spirit  flows  the  tide  of  grief ; 
And  sorrowing,  sinking  'neath  affliction's  rod, 

His  heart,  with  anguish  wrung,  finds  no  relief ; 
Until,  amid  the  thick,  surrounding  gloom, 

Come  the  sure  promises  of  truth  divine, 
And  bear  his  soul  aloft,  while  o'er  the  tomb 

Their  clustering  beams  in  glorious  beauty  shiue. 

Faith  cleaves  the  sky,  as  in  an  upward  flight, 
She  wings  her  way  to  opening  realms  of  bliss  ; 

13* 


150      JUDSON    LEAVING    ST.    HELENA. 

And  views  those  spirits  in  that  world  of  light, 
So  fondly  loved  while  they  sojourned  in  this  : 

She  whispers — thou,  ere  long,  shalt  meet  them 
there, 
No  more  to  part  while  endless  ages  roll  ; 

For  Heaven's  eternal  life  excludes  all  care, 
And  Heaven's  eternal  love  fills  all  the  soul. 


Now,  lost  in  light,  the  darkest  scenes  of  time, 

Faith  bids  the  toil-worn  pilgrim's  heart  rejoice, 
Speaks  of  the  raptures  of  that  holier  clime, 

And  hope  and  heaven  are  in  her  cheering  voice. 
Oh,  when  the  grave  at  Amherst  yields  its  trust, 

When  lone  Helena  gives  its  precious  dead, 
And  glorious  bodies  rise  from  mouldering  dust, 

What  radiant  gems   will   deck   each    sainted 
head ! 


Island  of  fame  !  when  comes  the  last  great  day, 
That  summons  all  before  the  judgment-seat ; 


JUDSON    LEAVING    ST.    HELENA.       151 

When   earth  and  heaven  dissolved,   shall  pass 
away. 
And    each    must    hear  the   Judge   his  doom 
repeat ; 
Which  then,  of  those  who  here  surrendering  life, 
On  thee  were  laid  in  death's  deep  slumber 
down — 
The  mighty  Warrior  and  the  Teacher's  wife — 
Oh  !  tell  me   which  shall   take   the  brighter 
crown  ? 


%\t  gtpHrttfc  jfmr — fts  Song. 

'Tis  Winter  evening's  bleak  and  lonely  hour, 
The  sun  beyond  the  distant  hills  hath  fled, 

Stern  Darkness  wields  the  scepter  of  his  power, 
Nor  is  the  crescent  moon's  dim  radiance  shed, 
Sweet  stars  are  gazing  from  their  ether  bed, 

With  silvery  glances  on  the  clouds  beneath, 
As  now  the  wasting  Year,  by  old  Time  led, 

Comes,  trembling,  panting  for  another  breath, 

To  fold  his  weary  wings  upon  the  couch  of  Death. 

As  oft  the  dying  man,  ere  life  depart, 

Would  fain  to  those  who  round  his  bed  appear, 

Speak  out  the  thoughts  that  struggle  in  his  heart, 
While  listening  all  they  wait  each  word  to  hear ; 


THE      DEPARTED     YEAR.  153 

So  now  c*  the  desolate  and  dying  year," 
Ere  he  expires  and  joins  the  numbered  throng, 

Wipes  from  his  sunken  eye  the  gathering  tear, 
And  pours  upon  the  nightly  breeze  along, 
His  broken  harp's  last  tones — his  faint  and  fare- 
well song : 

My  days  are  all  finished — I  go,  'mid  the  gloom 
Of  the  cold  Winter  night,  to  the  desolate  tomb  ! 
The  S.pring  of  my  being  hath  vanished  away  ; 
My  Summer,  so  lovely,  so  gorgeous  and  gay, 
Was  brief  in  its  life — it  began  soon  to  fade, 
And  Autumn  succeeded  in  sadness  arrayed  ; 
The  flowers  drooped  away  at  his  withering  breath, 
And  my  Winter  has  come — 'tis  the  Winter  of 
death  ! 

Though  brief  my  existence  and  narrow  my  ken, 
1  have  witnessed  the  varied  doings  of  men  : 
The  youth  I  have  seen  in  their  folly  and  pride, 
As  they  floated  along  on  life's  dangerous  tide  ; 


154  THE      DEPARTED     YEAR. 

I  have  heard,  as  they  gathered,  the  shout  and  the 

song 
That  flowed  from  the  lips  of  the  pleasure-rapt 

throng  ; 
I  knew  the  grand  object  of  life  was  torgot, 
And  I  spake  of  the  soul,  but  they  heeded  me  not. 

I  have  witnessed  the  shafts  the  Destroyer  hath 

hurled, 
In  his  conquering  march  through  an  awe-stricken 

world : 
The  good  and  the  great — they  all  bow  to  his  nod, 
The  dust  goes  to  dust,  and  the  spirit  to  God  ! 
The  gay  pomp  of  life,  the  proud  pageant  of  earth, 
The  splendor  of  wealth,  and  the  glory  of  birth — 
I've  seen  them  all  fade  like  the  mist  of  the  morn  ; 
My  pathway  is  strown  with  their  relics  forlorn. 

I  have  witnessed  the  crowds  going  down  to  the 

grave, 
The  youthful,  the  fearful,  the  stout  and  the  brave ; 


THE      DEPARTED     YEAR.  155 

Cut  off  in  the  dew  or  the  frost  of  their  years, 
And  borne  to  the  tomb  amid  sighing  and  tears. 
I  have  followed  the  throng  to  the  burial  spot, 
Where  the  mortal  must  sleep  and  its  name  be 

forgot ; 
Their  sad  office  o'er,  I  have  seen  them  depart, 
But  few  was  the  number  who  laid  it  to  heart. 

I  have  witnessed  the  student  in  Learning's  glad 

halls. 
As  he  listened  intent  to  Ambition's  loud  calls  ; 
The  fair  fields  of  Science  he  widely  explored, 
And  the  lore  of  the  past  in  his  memory  stored : 
I  pointed  him  then  to  the  wisdom  of  God — 
To  the  path  that  the  lowly  Redeemer  once  trod  ; 
But  he  turned  him  away  to  the  wisdom  of  man, 
Nor  cared  the  grand  scheme  of  Salvation  to  scan. 

I  have  witnessed  the  worldling,  as  early  and  late, 
He  has  planned  and  has    toiled  to  enlarge  his 
estate  : 


156  THE     DEPARTED     YEAR. 

Nor  fruitless  his  labor — his  coffers  ran  o'er 


And  treasures  uncounted  he  gathered  in  store : 
I  told  him  that  riches  might  suddenly  fly, 
And  bade  him  his  treasures  lay  up  in  the  sky  ; 
But  his  thoughts  and  his  heart  and  his  portion 

were  here, 
And  the  words  of  the  message  fell  cold  on  his 

ear. 

I  have  witnessed  the  aged,  whose  days  like  my 

own, 
Were  nearly  all  passed — to  eternity  flown  ; 
And  still  they  were  thoughtless  of  life's  closing 

scene — 
Of  the    blessing  they  need  that  shall  make  it 

serene, 
Of  the  region  beyond  the  horizon  of  time, 
And  its  glories  unspoken,  eternal,  sublime  ! 
I  furrowed  their  brow,  and  I  silvered  their  hair, 
But    they    heeded    me    not,    as  I  whispered — 

Prepare  ! 


THE     DEPARTED     YEAR.  157 

I  havp  witnessed  the  midnight  and  murderous 

deed, 
And  scenes  at  which  mercy  in  anguish  might 

bleed  ; 
The  inebriate's  course,  and  the  slanderer's  breath, 
And  those  who  in  darkness  rush  downward  to 

death  ! 
The  fatherless  child,  and  the  widow  bereft, 
I  have  seen  them  in  sorrow  to  penury  left, 
While  glittering  wealth,  with  abundance  of  store, 
Might  have  lighted  with  joy  their  desolate  door. 

I  have  witnessed  the  strife  and  the  clangor  of 

war, 
As  the  pale  horse  to  battle  hath  hurried  his  car, 
While  thousands  are  crushed  by  his  terrible  tread, 
'Mid  the  thunder  of  arms  on  the   field  of  the 

dead  ! 
And  slaughters  more  fearful  my  vision  have  filled, 
In  places  where  souls  with  their  bodies  are  killed  ; 

14 


L58  THE      DEPARTED     YEAR. 

Where  fire-fountains  bubble  from  streamlets  of 

hell- 
Pouring  sorrow  and  woe  as  the  red  rivers  swell ! 

I  have  witnessed  the  pagan  bow  down  to  his  god, 
As  he  follows  the  path  that  his  fathers  have  trod  : 
On  Life's  stormy  ocean  his  shattered  bark  rides, 
While  in  darkness  and  tempest  he  buffets  its  tides  : 
No  light  beams  along  on  his  pathway  afar — 
No  pilot  to  point  him  to  Bethlehem's  Star  ; 
Benighted,  bewildered,  enveloped  in  gloom, 
And  laden  with  guilt,  he  descends  to  the  tomb. 

I  have  witnessed  the  faithful  wherever  they  meet, 
A  heavenly  Presence  with  pleasure  to  greet, 
To  welcome  its  smile,  to  rejoice  in  its  love, 
And  receive  benedictions  that  drop  from  above. 
I  have  known  the  desire  of  the  liberal  hand, 
Sending    truth,  pouring  light,   into  every  dark 
land  : 


THE      DEPARTED      YEAR.  159 

The  poor  widow's  mite — it  is  seen  by  the  Lord — 
His  blessing  will  follow — she'll  get  her  reward. 

I  have  witnessed  the  sinner  bowed  down  with 

his  guilt, 
But  he  looked  to  that  blood  that  for  lost  ones 

Avas  spilt  ; 
He   heard  a  kind   voice    sweetly    falling    from 

heaven — 
O,  weary  one  come,  and  thy  sins  are  forgiven ! 
Then  rolled  off  the  burden,  the  sorrow  was  gone, 
Jesus  smiled  on  the  soul — it  was  hope's  lovely 

dawn — 
A  bright  path  appeared,  which  the   Savior  had 

blest  ; 
There  the  ransomed  one  walked,  finding  gladness 

and  rest. 

I  have  witnessed alas  !  my  poor  song  must 

now  cease, 
And  my  being  the  Past's  mighty  volume  increase  .* 


160  THE      DEPARTED     YEAR. 

I  must  go — I  depart — to  return  not  again, 

Till  the  day  that  shall  gather  the  nations  of  men 

Before  the  White  Throne,  to  receive  each  his 

doom  ; 
Then  I  shall  come  forth  from  the  thunder-rent 

tomb, 
And  my  book,  unimpaired,  the  Great  Judge  shall 

receive  ; 
Oh,  mortal !  what  record  of  thee  will  it  give  ? 

Thus  sang  the  Dying  Year,  whose  faltering  tones 

Were  slowly  hushed,  as  struck  the  midnight 
knell, 
Filling  the  ambient  air  with  solemn  moans, 

Which  on  my  ear  in  mournful  cadence  fell  ; 

But  soon  the  New  Year's  song  began  to  swell 
In  mystic  harmonies,  yet  strangely  blending — 

And  its  prophetic  numbers  seemed  to  tell 
That  some,  with  hopes  to  future  good  extending, 
Begin  the   joyful  year,    but    ne'er  shall  see  its 
ending. 


SONNETS. 


i.r 


SONNETS 


Storing  llfasntgiJ* 

Fair,  in  the  mellow  rays  of  lunar  light, 

The  lovely  landscape  meets  the  pensive  eye, 
Reposing  sweetly  'neath  the  solemn  sky  : 
All  round,  the  shadowy  curtains  of  the  night 
Hang,  gently  touching  the  horizon's  verge, 

And  gathering  toward  a  narrow  circle,  where 
Flow  out  the  silver  moonbeams  like  a  surge, 
Descend  the  sky  and  permeate  the  air  : 
They  rest  in  beauty  on  the  mountain-height, 
They  softly  tread  the  forest-vales  below, 
And  dancing  on  the  ocean's  tide  they  go, 

The  omnipresent  watchers  of  the  night  ; 
And  many  a  scene  their  gentle  eyes  survey, 
That  ne'er  are  witnessed  or  revealed  by  day. 


164  SONNETS. 

II. 

Continue 

Stars  in  the  boundless  heaven,  that  nil  the  arch 
Above  me,  and  beneath  this  earth  of  ours, 
Glitter  resplendently,  like  deathless  flowers. 
The  primal  world  observed  their  earliest  march, 
And  each  successive  age  hath  kept  its  eye 

On  the  pure  paths  of  space  they  long  have  trod, 
Winding  their  endless  stairway  through  the  sky, 
Obedient  to  the  kind  behests  of  God. 
They  still,  bright-eyed,  are  peeping  through 
the  veil, 
And  gazing  downward  on  the  slumbering  earth, 
As  if  they  fain  would  tell  their  glorious  birth, 

Unfold  their  wonders  and  repeat  the  tale 
Of  their  strange  destinies  to  mortal  men — 
Alas  !  their  mysteries  are  beyond  our  ken  ! 


SONNETS.  165 

III. 

dl'MltilUl^ 

Do  they,  the  spirits  of  a  brighter  land, 

Spirits,  perchance,  of  those  we  loved  most  dear, 
Linger  in  silence  o'er  this  sin-stained  sphere, 

And  gather  round  us  like  a  guardian  band  ? 

Oh  !   could  we  their  ethereal  forms  behold, 
And  listen  to  the  wonders  they  might  tell, 

What  scenes  of  glory  would  their  lips  unfold, 
Of  unpolluted  worlds  where  angels  dwell ! 
Perhaps  to  yon  pure  stars  they've  winged  their 
flight, 

On  some  sweet  mission  of  celestial  love, 

And  now,  returned  from  those  glad  spheres  above, 
Are  lingering  round  these  dark  abodes  to-night, 

And  long  to  tell  us  of  those  orbs  on  high, 

Those  glorious  realms,  unscanned  by  mortal  eye  ! 


166  SONNETS. 

IV. 

Cmttlntofc 

Stay,  ye  celestial  messengers  of  love, 

Abide  around  my  dwelling-place  below  ; 

My  thoughts  are  tending  earthward  oft,  I  know ; 
Still,  I  have  longyigs  for  the  bliss  above, 
Would  view  the  mansions  of  eternal  rest, 

And  soar  with  you  to  many  a  starry  gem, 
Scan  the  far-spread  dominions  of  the  blest, 

And  tread  the  streets  of  New  Jerusalem  ! 

Oh  !  linger,  then,  ye  ministers  of  light, 
And  here  communion  with  a  mortal  hold, 
Until  the  number  of  my  days  are  told  ; 

Then    upward    lead    me  to  those   worlds  so 
bright, 
Where  I  may  know  of  what  I  now  but  dream, 
And  see  the  glories  of  the  Great  Supreme. 


SONNETS.  I (j  7 


Cni% 


Thy  course  is  onward  still,  immortal  Truth  ! 

Though  Error's  train  thy  progress  may  oppose. 

Yet  thou  shalt  triumph  o'er  thy  mightiest  foes, 
And  show  the  strength  of  thy  perennial  youth. 
'Mid  all  the  conflicts  of  thy  rugged  way, 

'Mid    the    envenomed    shafts    that    sin    hath 
hurled, 
Thy  beams  have  brightened  like  the  opening  day, 

And  cast  their  splendors  on  a  darkened  world. 
Sure  thou  shalt  conquer  !   The  Eternal  One 
Shall  cause  thy  glory  to  outshine  the  sun  : 
Error  shall  quail  before  thee  and  retire, 

And  glorious  victories  be  ever  thine  : 
High  Heaven  with  rapture  shall  thy  hosts  inspire, 

And  bid  Earth  bow  in  homage  at  thy  shrine  ! 


168  5  O  N  N  K  T  S  . 

VI. 


wranxx  at  hkc  gray. 


And  art  thou  here,  fair,  lovely,  gentle  one, 
Whose  lyre,  attuned  with  a  seraphic  skill, 
Sent  forth  its  tones  a  thousand  hearts  to  fill 

With  melodies,  so  strangely  sweet,  which  none 

But  thy  inspiring  genius  could  create  ? 

No,  thou — thou  art  not  here.     A  boon  from 
heaven  : 

And,  as  an  angel  visitant  doth  wait, 

To  leave  a  blessing  by  our  Father  given, 

So  thou,  fair  dweller  of  a  brighter  sphere, 

Too  pure  for  earth,  didst  stay  but  briefly  here — 
Only  to  sing  a  sweet,  celestial  song, 

That  charms,  enraptures  with  its  peerless  strains : 
Then  upward  soared  to  join  the  spirit  throng, 

And  tune  thy  harp  anew,  on  heavenly  plains. 


SONNETS.  169 

VII. 

ids  m^tr 


Slow,  toward  the  lonely  burial-spot  where  lay 
Their  cherished  brother  in  the  rayless  tomb, 
Moved  the  sad  sisters  wrapt  in  sorrow's  gloom, 

While  friends  went  weeping  o'er  the  solemn  way. 
One  was  amid  that  sympathizing  throng, 
Whose  heavenly  visage  as  he  passed  along, 

Attracted  all.     The  scene  his  spirit  stirred, 
And  touched  the  fountains   of  his  soul — He 
wept ! 

And  while  he  wept  his  deep-drawrn  sighs  were 
heard. 
The  dead  he  called — and  Death  no  longer  kept 

His  victim.     Mourning  was  exchanged  for  joy  ! 
The  Savior  wTept !     How  wonderful  his  tears ! 

His  friendship — oh,  how  free  from  all  alloy  ! 

Ilis  sympathy  and  love — they  quell  our  rising 
fears  ! 

15 


170  SONNETS. 

VIII. 

^ntanm  Mink 

The  winds  of  Autumn  through  the  forests  sweep, 
.  And  o'er  the  harvest  fields  with  mournful  sigh  ; 

They  waft  the  somber  clouds  along  the  sky, 
And  stir  the  billows  of  the  azure  deep  : 
They  come  from  distant  lands  of  snow  and  storm, 

And  mark  their  pathway  with  the  touch  of 
blight  ; 
They  pass — all  viewless  as  a  spirit's  form, 

Fulfilling  their  appointed  mission.     Night 
Lists  to  the  cadence  of  their  solemn  wail ; 
Day  hears  their  footsteps  in  the  lonely  vale, 

And  heavier  tread  upon  the  mountain  side  : 
Their  voices  bid  the  feathered  songsters  hie 
To  fairer  lands  beneath  a  milder  sky, 

Where    Summer   reigns   and   lovely   flowers 
abide. 


SONNETS.  171 

IX. 

Ye  winds  !  the  formless  messengers  of  God  ! 
Oft  as  I  listen  to  your  solemn  lays. 
Ye  wake  the  memory  of  departed  days — 

The  home  of  infancy — the  paths  I  trod. 

And  friends  I  loved,  ere  childhood-scenes  were 
o"er  : 
I  hear  your  tones  in  old  familiar  trees, 
I  see  the  orchard  nodding  to  the  breeze, 

And  hear  the  woodland  of  the  mountain  roar  : 

Ye  mind  me  well  of  long-passed  evening  times, 
When,  with  the  household  group  around  the 
hearth, 

I  sat,  and  listened  to  your  mournful  chimes, 
While  all  within  was  joy  and  social  mirth  ; 

And  now,  as  by  my  dwelling-place  ye  sweep, 

Ye  tell  me  of  the  graves  where  friends  and  kin- 
dred sleep  ! 


172  SONNETS 

X. 


f%  j&tara. 


Bright  lamps  of  the  illimitable  sky  ! 

Hung  by  Jehovah's  all-creating  hand, 
Amid  the  chambers  of  His  temple  high, 
Where  ye  have  gazed  with  never-sleeping  eye, 

Upon  this  darkened  orb,  this  far-off  land, 
While  ages  dawned,  matured  and  rolled  away : 

Ye  saw  fair  Eden — the  destroying  Flood — 
The  rise  of  empires,  and  their  sad  decay — 

Heroic  deeds,  and  fields  of  human  blood  : 
Ye  have  beheld  the  path  old  Time  hath  trod — 
Man's  idol-worship — his  neglect  of  God  : 

And,  beaming  as  of  old  from  heaven's  high 
tower, 

To  all  the  world,  at  evening's  hallowed  hour, 
Ye  speak — though  few  do  list — your  Maker's 
love  and  power. 


SONNETS.  173 

XL 

§mm 

Immortal  spark  of  pure,  celestial  fire  ! 

Descending  from  thy  glorious  place  of  birth  ; 

We  trace  with   trembling  thy  career  on  earth. 
How  dread  the  vengeance  of  thy  woeful  ire, 
When  thou — forgetful  of  thy  mission  given, 

Allied  with  Vice,  false  Error's  counsel  sought — 
Against  thy  noble  destiny  hast  striven, 

Till  wrecked  at  last  amid  the  ruin  wrought ! 
How  beautiful  thy  beams  of  heavenly  light, 
When  Truth  and  Virtue  shape  thy  course  aright, 

When,  by  Religion's  holy  precepts  taught, 

Thy  voice  of  eloquence  and  harp  of  might 

Unfold  the  glories  of  Eternal  Love, 

And   win  the  soul  from  earth,  to  find  its  rest 

above  ! 

15* 


174  SONNETS. 

XII. 

um  is  fok" 

Old  Earth,  since  first  creation's  dawn  began, 
With  her  ten  thousand  ever-varying  voices — 
Alas  !  who  listens,  ponders  and  rejoices  ?-«- 

Hath  ceaselessly  proclaimed  this  truth  to  man  : 

Mountains  have  echoed  back  the  heavenly  strain, 
Hills,  valleys,  and  reverberating  dells  ; 

The  nodding  forest  and  the  peaceful  plain  ; 
Ocean's  undying  roar  the  anthem  swells ; 

The  stars,  those  tireless  sentinels  on  high  ; 

The  clouds  and  storms  and  rainbows  in  the  sky  j 
Eternal  truth,  grand  record  from  above  ; 

Christ  on  the  cross,  triumphant  o'er  the  grave  ; 

Redemption's  plan  a  guilty  world  to  save — 
From  age  to  age  repeat  it— God  is  love  ! 


SONNETS.  175 

XIII. 

®Jje  (Urabe  of  H$rs.  gabibsoit, 

MOTHER    OF    LUCEETIA    AND    MARGARET. 

And  here  in  peace  they've  laid  thee  down  to  rest, 
'Mid  sighs  and  sadness  and  o'erfiowing  tears  : 
Thy  pilgrimage  through  long-afflicted  years, 

Is  done,  and  thou  dost  slumber  with  the  blest : 

But  why  should  mortals  thy  departure  mourn  ? 
Why  weep  in  sorrow  at  this  hallowed  tomb  ? 

For  thy  sweet  spirit  hath  been  upward  borne, 
Afar  from  all  bereavement,  woe  and  gloom : 

For  ever  free  from  pain  and  anguish  now, 

Celestial  beauty  brightens  on  thy  brow  ! 

O,  thou  art  gone  to  meet  the  loved  so  well — 

Thy  angel  daughters — in  that  heavenly  land, 
To  hear  their  lyres  with  holiest  anthems  swell, 

And  join  the  glorious  song,  with  all  the  harping 
band. 


176  SONNETS. 

XIV. 

dfolltgt  Jlritp:  lifting. 

It  is  a  holy  hour,  and  Nature  speaks 

Its  sac  redness  with  many  a  winning  voice, 
That  bids  the  grateful,  loving  heart  rejoice  : 
How  sweetly,  on  the  distant  mountain  peaks, 
Lingers  the  radiance  of  the  setting  sun, 

Giving  a  glory  to  each  beauteous  thing, 
Touched  by  his  beams. — So  now,  upon  each  one 
Of  that  glad  throng,  warmed  by  the  Savior's  love, 

And  gathered  in  his  blessed  name  to  sing 
And  supplicate,  descending  from  above, 

Soft  as  the  vivifying  breath  of  Spring, 
Rests  the  sweet  influence  of  the  Spirit's  power, 
Filling  the  heart  with  rapture  at  this  hour, 
That  Learning  cannot  claim,  nor  Science  ever 
bring. 


*<  <XQt 


SONNETS.  I  77 

XV. 

all  k  Jfabe  as  a  ftat" 


Down  from  its  stem  the  withered  leaf  to  earth 
Drops,  dangling  in  the  cool,  autumnal  breeze, 
And  dreary  stand,  like  skeletons,  the  trees, 

Till  Spring  again  shall  give  their  foliage  birth 

Emblem  of  man,  that  faded  leaf — how  true  ! 
Child  of  the  vernal  season's  glowing  ray  ; 

Bright  in  the  Summer's  life-distilling  dew  ; 
Touched  by  the  frost,  it  withers  in  a  day ! 

So  shall  we  fade  !  the  prophet's  solemn  voice 
Is  but  the  truth  of  what  we  daily  know : 
Life's  lovely  seasons  come  and  quickly  go  ; 

But,  pilgrim,  hope  !  in  Mercy's  plan  rejoice  ! 

Then,  fading  like  the  leaf  at  last,  from  death 

Thou'lt  rise  to  endless  Spring,  through  Christ's 
reviving  breath  ! 


178  SONNETS. 

XVI. 

Dark  demon  from  the  land  of  fell  Despair ! 

When,  from  the  mourning  realms  of  blood- 
stained earth, 

Shalt  thou  be  banished  to  thy  place  of  birth, 
And  mortals  in  thy  guilt  refuse  to  share  ? 

Thine  is  the  path  of  carnage  and  of  death — 

More  terrible  thy  blast  than  Simoom's  breath  ! 
Widows  and  orphans  o'er  thy  deeds  have  sighed, 

Thy  trophies  sad,  in  scalding  tears  bewailed : 
Kingdoms  beneath  thy  wrathful  storm  have  died, 

While  Rapine,  Wrong  and  Tyranny  prevailed  ! 
Oh,  when  shall  thy  dread  thunder  cease  to  roar, 

And  orbs  of  peace  and4ove  in  beauty  shine 

On    earth's    great    brotherhood    with    beams 
divine, 
And  nations  learn  the  arts  of  Death  no  more  ? 


SONNETS.  179 

XVII. 

•Clje  Virion 

WRITTEN"    I\    1850. 

O  North  !  think  not  of  compromising  Right 
And  Freedom  !   these  uphold,  sustain,  defend  : 
Battle  for  these — nor  yield  them  in  the  end, 

And  victory  shall  crown  the  bloodless  fight ! 

Now  is  the  time  for  action,  firm  and  true  ; 
Hold  to  the  Right,  nor  vaunting  menace  fear  ; 

The  crisis  dread  shall  pass,  and  ye  shall  view 
The  Union  safe — its  future  skies  more  clear ! 

For  this,  keep  vigils  now  our  mountains  bold ; 

For  this,  broad  lakes  their  waves  in  silence  hold  ; 
And  the  far-stretching  prairies  breathless  wait : 

Periled  humanity  in  every  clime, 

And  spirits  bending  from  their  seats  sublime, 
Together  pause,  o'er  Freedom's  pending  fate ! 


180  SONNETS. 

XVIII. 

Cjjt  denting  |)im[m\ 

ON  IIEARING,  IN  1846,  KEY.   BENJAMIN  HARVKY,  AGED  110  YEARS. 

Listening   to   thee,    what    thoughts    my    spirit 
throng ! 

Last  of  a  generation  long  since  dead, 

What  years  have  frosted  o'er  thy  reverendhead  ! 
What  waves  of  time  have  dashed  thy  feet  along  ! 
Where  are  the  multitudes  that  gathering  heard 

The  earliest  sermons  from  thy  youthful  lips  ? 
What    mighty    storms  life's   rolling    seas    have 
stirred ! 

What  beaming  suns  have  set  in  dark  eclipse  ! 

What  orbs  have  risen  to  the  lofty  sky  ! 
What  nations  born,  and  cradled,  and  matured  ! 
What  great  events  on  history's  page  secured  ! 

IiO,  a  new  world  now  greets  thy  lingering  eye  ! 
And  if  thy  days  as  few  and  evil  seem, 
Sure  life  to  us  is  but  a  fleeting  dream ! 


SONNETS.  181 

XIX. 

CJjt  SSjjife  IHountaini 

What  grand  and  bold  sublimity  abounds 
Among  these  lofty  peaks  and  deep  ravines, 
Where  Nature,  lavish  of  her  wild,  bewildering 
scenes, 

Man's  feeble  sense  with  mighty  awe  confounds ! 

Here  earth  draws  near  to  heaven  ;  and,  throned 
in  clouds, 
Mount  Washington,  like  him  whose  name  it 
wears, 

Stands  in  lone  majesty  among  the  crowds 
Below,  and  the  great  sky-temple  bears ! 
Look  from  the  gray  top  of  that  summit  high, 

On  the  bright  glories  of  the  out-spread  view. 

While  vision,  fading  in  the  distant  blue, 

And  silver  lake  and  stream  and  landscape  nigh 

Impress  the  soul  with  overmastering  power, 

And  thou  shalt  ne'er  forget  that  pregnant  hour ! 
in 


1 82  SONNETS. 

XX. 

§k  fa, 


Farewell,  departing,  fading,  dying  Year  ! 
Go  swell  the  mighty  volume  of  the  Past : 
Thy  deeds  are  done,  and  thon  hast  breathed 
thy  last ; 

And  yet  shall  they,  with  thee,  again  appear  : 
Each  act  of  kindness,  and  each  work  of  love — 
The  humble  prayer  that  went  to  heaven  above, 

With  duties  well  performed  to  God  and  man. 
Although  to  mortal  eyes  unseen,  unknown  ; 
And  sinful  acts  along  thy  pathway  strown^- 

How  oft  they  rise  as  we  thy  circuit  scan ! 
Yet  they — the  broken  vow,  the  right  deferred, 
Each  unrepented  wrong,  and  idle  word, 

Though  'neath  thy  gloomy  veil  concealed  they 
lie, 

Shall  in  the  Judgment  rise  before  the   Eternal 
-Eve! 


SONNETS.  183 

XXI. 


Clje  itefo  §mr. 


Hail,  Happy  Year  !  Praise  to  our  Father,  God  ! 
That  thy  rejoicing  morn  salutes  our  eyes  : 
How  many  hoped  to  see  thy  morn  arise, 

Who  now  are  sleeping  'neath  the  silent  sod  ! 
And  ere  thine  exit  comes,  what  voice  can  tell 
For  whom    shall    sound  the    death-declaring 
knell  ? 

And  who  would  wish  thy  mysteries  to  scan  ? 
Or  now  thy  unrepealed  events  behold  ? 
Enough  doth  every  passing  day  unfold — 

Enough  for  the  infirmities  of  man  : 

Whate'er  the  future  be,  of  wish,  or  fear, 
Would  all  enjoy  a  new  and  happy  year  ? 

To  God,  be  every  day  and  moment  given  ; 

Living  or  dying,  then,  we  live  or  die  for  Heaven  ! 


184  SONNETS. 

XXII. 

Pa  lto%r. 

My  Mother  !  earliest  friend  I  learned  to  love. 

Sweet   guardian   of  my  young   and  helpless 
years, 

Fount  of  my  joy  and  solace  of  my  fears  : 
An  angel  from  the  blessed  world  above, 
She  ever  seemed  before  my  eyes  to  move, 

And  bright  that  infant  vision  still  appears, 
As  now  I  see  her  and  its  substance  prove, 

In  all  her  love  for  me,  and  cares  and  tears. 

O  gracious  Heaven  !  to  thee  I  lift  my  voice, 
In  glowing  thankfulness,  for  such  a  guide,  . 
Who  sweetly  taught  me,  kneeling  at  her  side, 

In  thy  benignant  bounty  to  rejoice  : 
Oh,  be  no  precious  boon  to  her  denied, 
While  yet  I  bless  thee  that  her  days  abide. 


fjomoiut  tuto  Jflortr. 


BUNG    AT    THE    FESTIVAL    OF   THE    NEAV     HAVEN*    BORTICULTURAL     AND 
POMOLOGICAL    SOCIETIES,    SEPT.    30,    1853. 


Fruits  and  Flowers,  in  beauty  blending, 

Bright  arrayed  by  ringers  fair, 
Fling  their  fragrance,  sweet  ascending, 

On  the  Autumn  evening  air. 
Lovely  vision — scene  elysian — 

Golden  harvest  rare  ! 
Goddess,  from  whose  fields  o'erflowing, 

Tempting  treasures  freely  fall, 
Priestess  of  the  Garden,  glowing 

With  thy  leafy  coronal, 

Greetings  glad  we  give,   Pomona,   Flora, 

Gathered  at  your  Festival. 
16* 


186  POMONA     AND     FLORA. 

Art  and  Nature  celebrating — 

Human  skill  and  gifts  divine  ; 
God  the  field  and  flower  creating, 

Man  to  make  their  glories  shine : 
Thus  'tis  given,  earth  and  heaven 

Sweet  to    intertwine. 
'Twas  in  Nature's  earliest  garden, 

That  the  sacred  tie  began, 
When  the  great  and  gracious  Warden 

Gave  the  purest  gift  to  man — 
Loveliest  form  and  bloom,  Pomona,  Flora, 

Angel  vision  there  could  scan. 

Age  and  Wisdom,  Youth  and  Beauty, 
Honored  heads  and  skillful  hands, 

From  the  varied  walks  of  duty, 
Bound  by  sacred,  social  bands, 

Free  from  sadness,  meet  with  gladness, 
At  our  Hosts'  commands— 

Pleased  to  every  heart's  desiring, 

With  the  wealth  that  here  is  stored  ; 


POMONA      AND      FLORA.  187 

All  these  luscious  gems  admiring, 
Bending  branch  and  vine  afford ; 
And  our  welcome  sing,  Pomona,  Flora, 
To  the  dainties  of  the  board. 

Oft  amid  such  charming  treasures, 

Gathered  in  a  joyous  throng, 
Be  renewed  this  evening's  pleasures — 

Sung  again  the  festal  song  ; 
Gladness  lightening,  Beauty  brightening 

All   the*  years  along  ; 
Till,  our  wintery  season  closing, 

Heavenly  Spring  for  us  shall  rise 
On  the  Edens,  sweet  reposing 

'Neath  its  ever-beaming  skies, 
Bearing  trees  of  life,  Pomona — Flora, 

Fadeless  blooms  of  Paradise. 


Js&tfttii  ®0-k]i. 


Sixteen  to-day,  sweet  Friend ! 

Delightful  thoughts  are  thine ; 
The  Past  and  Present  blend — 
Hopes  of  the  Future  shine : 
Ha*ppy  the  hours 
Of  this  blest  day, 
Gliding  away, 
.    'Mid  vernal  flowers. 

The  Past  with  love  is  bright, 

Sweet  infancy  is  there, 
And  all  the  sunny  light 

Of  childhood,  gay  and  fair: 
How  memory  dear, 
With  pleasure,  clings 


SIXTEEN     TO-DAY.  189 

To  by-gone  things, 
And  calls  them  here ! 

Safe  garnered  in  the  Past, 

Are  hallowed  youthful  scenes, 
That  sure  will  always  last, 
Whatever  intervenes  : 

Heart-treasures  they, 
Linked  to  the  skies 
By  heavenly  ties, 
Ne'er  to  decay. 

Sixteen  to-day !  the  time   ■> 

When  girlhood's  bird-like  songs, 
With  maiden  music  chime, 
And  life  itself  belongs, 

From  this  birth-morn, 
To  eras  new 
That  rise  to  view, 
And  hope  adorn. 


190  SIXTEEN     TO-DAY. 

# 

The  fount  becomes  a  stream, 

The  fruits  succeed  the  flowers, 
Life's  fancy-gilded  dream 
Turns  into  sober  hours  : 
The  world  of  fact, 
Full  of  its  needs 
For  earnest  deeds, 
Calls  now  to  act. 

Be  all  the  Future  blest, 

And  filled  with  welcomes  bright 
When  comes  the  day  of  rest, 
Its  evening  hour  be  light  ! 
Glad  the  survey, 
As  o'er  long  years, 
This  date  appears, 
Sixteen  to-day  ! 


Pb  i*. 


I  was  a  boy  :  but  half  a  score  of  years, 
Fringed  with  the  light  of  childhood's  day, 
Had  passed  in  blithsome  joy  away, 

Nor  left  sad  memories  of  grief  or  tears. 

A  rural  and  sequestered  spot  was  where 
Our  pleasant,  ample  farm-house  stood, 
'Mid  field  and  mead  and  mountain  wood, 

A  landscape  loved,  if  not  as  Eden  fair. 

Spring  brought  its  birds  and  flowers,  and  Sum- 
mer cast 
Luxuriant  wealth  o'er  lawn  and  tree, 
While  Autumn  gave  large  bounties  free, 

And  Pleasure  lurked  in  Winter's  snow  and  blast 


192  MY      FATHER. 

Oft  to  the  village  school,  my  little  feet 
Went  up  the  hill  and  o'er  the  brook  ; 
Heart-glad  the  teacher's  kindly  look 

I  saw,  and  dear  associates  loved  to  meet. 

My  Father,  at  the  soft  sweet   eventide, 
Would  often- take  me  on  his  knee, 
And  there  in  lessons  question  me, 

And  mark  my  progress  with  a  glowing  pride. 

Clinging  with  gladness  to  his  sturdy  hand, 
Out  to  the  fields  with  him  I  went, 
And  joyous  took  some  little  stent 

Of  reaping,  making  hay,  or  tilling  land. 

O,  'twas  a  pleasure  forth  with  him  to  go, 
On  journeys  to  some  town  prolonged, 
See  sights  that  on  my  vision  thronged, 

And  wondrous  wise  in  new-found    knowledge 
grow. 


MY     FATHER.  193 

When  home  of  friend  or  relative  was  reached, 


He  bade  me  to  the  group  repeat 
Some  speech,  with  voice  and  gesture  neat, 
Or  tell  the  text  of  the  last  sermon  preached. 

How  well  he  loved  his  little  bashful  boy  ; 
How  glad  his  opening  mind  to  see  : 
Did  thoughts  of  coming  years  with  me, 

Fill  his  large  heart  with  hidden,  hopeful  joy  ? 

But  he  must  leave  me  and  from  earth  depart, 
Called  to  the  glorious  world  above  ; 
And  I  no  more  could  share  the  love 

And  tenderness  of  his  dear,  sheltering  heart. 

I  saw  him  prostrate  on  the  couch  of  pain, 
Beneath  the  fever's  burning  rage  ; 
I  longed  his  sickness  to  assuage, 

And  see  him  in  his  manly  strength  again. 


17 


194  MY     FATHER. 

"  Your  Father's  dead!"  Oh,  how  the  message 
chilled 

My  heart  and  dimmed  my  tearful  eye  ! 

With  a  cold  gloom,  and  oft-heaved  sigh, 
My  little  being  was  to  fullness  filled  ! 

I  saw  him  as  he  lay  in  death's  stern  arms ; 
His  eyes  were  sealed  in  dark  eclipse, 
But  on  his  pale  and  speechless  lips 

A  loving  smile  was  wreathed  in  heavenly  charms. 

Was  it  the  sweet  peace  of  his  dying  prayer, 
That  lingered  with  the  parting  breath  ? 
Or  visions,  o'er  the  vale  of  death, 

That  rose  upon  his  ransomed  spirit  there  ? 

Oh  !   I  remember  well  the  funeral  train, 
As  solemnly  it  moved  and  slow, 
Through  the  deep  banks  of  drifted  snow  ; 

And  the  dear  dust  returned  to  dust  again. 


MY     FATHER.  195 

I  was  a  boy,  when  this  great  grief  was  borne, 
And  years  but  half  a  score  had  known  : 
I  am  a  man — long  years  have  flown — 

But  ne'er  have  ceased  that  crushing  loss  to  mourn. 

When  o'er  the  young  and  tender  heart  there  falls 
Some  awful  shade,  with  sudden  power, 
How  long  the  memory  of  that  hour 

Remains,  and  all  its  mingled  gloom  recalls  ! 


in  %limt  »s  8*1  Sou- 

All  alone,  my  baby  boy, 

Little,  living  fount  of  joy, 

Standing  on  thy  tiny  feet, 

Trembling,  tottering,  smiling  sweet ; 
Canst  thou  walk,  unled,  unaided, 
On  the  parlor  floor  paraded  ? 

Looking  comical  and  queer, 

Arms  extended  as  in  fear, 

Infant  pilgrim,  now  begin, 

Try  thy  skill  and  thou  shalt  win : 
There  !  one  little  step  is  taken, 
By  it  all  thy  form  is  shaken. 


ALL     ALONE,     MY     BABY     BOY.        197 

One  more,  swinging  to  and  fro, 

Lost  your  balance — down  you  go  ; 

Up  again,  by  stool  or  chair, 

Take  another  venture  fair  ; 
Walking  is  a  mighty  matter — 
Make  your  little  feet  to  clatter. 

Come,  my  darling,  come  to  me, 
Laughing,  crowing  in  your  glee  ; 
See,  your  father's  beckoning  arms 
Wait  to  shield  from  hurts  or  harms : 
Ha!  you've  started,  tripping,  running, 
Hands  outstretched,  and  steps  so  cunning. 

O  my  precious  baby  boy, 
Father's  pride  and  mother's  joy, 
Many  charms  in  thee  are  found, 
Many  hopes  in  thee  are  bound, 
Kindest  hands  to  thee  are  proffered, 
Earnest  prayers  for  thee  are  offered. 

17* 


198       ALL     ALONE,      MY     BABY     BOY. 

All  alone,  my  blessed  child, 
Now  so  winning,  sweet  and  mild, 
Though  with  crowds,  along  the  way 
Of  life's  opening,  closing  day, 
Thou  must  walk,  thyself  immortal, 
Toward  the  Future's  solemn  portal. 

Take  no  evil  path,  my  boy, 
Make  not  bitter  all  our  joy  ; 
Oh,  may  every  step  of  thine 
Guided  be  by  love  divine  ; 
Walk,  alone,  the  path  of  duty — 
Path  of  safety  and  of  beauty. 

Then  thy  faithful  feet  at  last, 
When  this  earthly  scene  is  past, 
Shall,  within  the  heavenly  gate, 
Walk,  with  highest  joy  elate, 
On  the  banks  of  Life's  pure  river, 
Bright  with  glories  fading  never  ! 


Pfrmtjrajra: 


NAME,  MEANING    '    LAUGHING    WATER,      GIVEN    BY    THE    INDIANS  TO 
A  BEAUTIFUL  CASCADE  NEAR  ST.   ANTHONY'S  FALLS, 
MINNESOTA. 

When  o'er  the  prairie  first 

The  Indian  trod, 
And  on  his  vision  burst 

This  work  of  God, 
No  wonder  he  should  claim  it 

A  lovely  sight, 

A  laughing  sprite, 
And  shouting  forth,  should  name  it 

With  rapt  delight, 
Minne-ha-ha ! 


200  MINNEHAHA. 

Long  ages  passed,  I  ween, 
And  none  came  near, 

To  view  this  charming  scene, 
Its  music  hear  : 

Before  the  forest-ranger 

Heard  its  sweet  clang, 
It  rushed  and  rang  ; 

To  human  eyes  a  stranger, 
It  smiled  and  sang, 
Minne-ha-ha ! 

To  summer-blooming  flowers 
That  fringe  the  brook, 

To  clustering  leafy  bowers 
That  on  it  look, 

To  the  deep  vale,  extending 
Far  on  below, 
Where  echoes  go, 

?Twas  ever  sweetly  sending 
Its  tuneful  flow, 
Minne-ha-ha  I 


MINNEHAHA.  201 

When  winter's  mantling  snow 

Lay  by  its  side, 
When  bright  flowers  ceased  to  g^ow 

Along  its  tide  j 
Amid  the  frost-harps,  builded 

By  the  ice-king, 

Each  silver  string 
With  golden  sunlight  gilded, 

It  still  did  sing, 
Minne-ha-ha  ! 

Stars  in  the  silent  night, 

Might  be  enchained, 
Birds  in  their  passing  flight 

Be  long  detained, 
And,  by  this  scene  entrancing, 

Angels  might  roam, 

Or  make  their  home, 
Hearing,  in  waters  dancing, 

'Mid  spray  and  foam, 
Minne-ha-ha ! 


202  MINNEHAHA. 

Methinks  there  is  a  strain, 

A  saddened  sound, 
A  half-concealed  refrain, 

A  requiem  found, 
And  tear-drops,  softly  falling 

Along  the  steep, 

In  the  wild  leap 
Of  sparkling  waters,  calling 

For  them  that  sleep, 
Minne-ha-ha  ! 

Thousands  who  erst  have  viewed 

This  glad  cascade, 
Wild  sons  of  solitude, 

Who  hither  strayed, 
Have  passed  away  forever  ! 

Come  they  no  more, 

Nor  hear  the  roar 
Of  this  bright,  laughing  river, 

Singing  of  yore, 
Minne-ha-ha ! 


MINNEHAHA.  203 

But  hardy  pioneers, 

A  pale-faced  throng, 
Surmounting  toils  and  fears — 

Stalwart  and  strong  ; 
Their  Eastern  homes  forsaking 

For  this  great  West, 

Their  chosen  rest, 
Blooms  in  the  desert  making — 

Are  welcomed,  blest : 
Minne-ha-ha ! 

Shout,  to  the  sons  of  peace, 

A  glad  "  what  cheer," 
Whose  pilgrim-bands  increase 

With  every  year  ; 
Whose  art  and  taste  are  giving 

To  lake  and  land, 

To  prairie  grand, 
A  glory  bright  and  living, 

That  long  shall  stand — 
Minne-ha-ha! 


20  1  MINNEHAHA. 

Sing  to  the  rising  State, 

With  cities  fair, 
Whose  power  and  honor  great 

Her  sons  shall  share  : 
Bidding  all  foes  defiance, 

Their  happy  choice 

Shall  them  rejoice, 
While  Freedom,  Truth,  and  Science 

Blend  with  thy  voice, 
Minne-ha-ha ! 

Sing  on — a  hundred  years, 

And  then  how  bright 
This  glorious  realm  appears 

To  hnman  sight ! 
All  good  things  here  shall  enter  ; 

Blessings  shall  teem, 

Religion  beam ; 
Our  country's  crown  and  center 

This  shall  seem  ! — 
Minno-ha-hn  ! 


ANGEL    ALLIES 


18 


%-qtl  pits. 


The  brightening  beams  of  early  day 
Are  melting  Night's  last  gloom  away ; 
The  stars,  retreating  one  by  one, 
Pale  in  the  glory  of  the  sun  ; 
The  mystic  meteors  of  the  sky 
Cease  to  attract  the  watcher's  eye ; 
The  specter-shadows  in  the  vales 
Trip  off  along  their  morning  trails  ; 
The  dreamy  stillness  of  the  hour 
Is  broke  by  life's  awaking  power  ; 
In  leafy  bough  or  on  the  wing. 
The  merry  birds  in  chorus  sing  ; 


208  ANGEL      ALLIES. 

Adown  the  hillslopes,  slanting  glide 
The  waves  of  light,  a  flowing  tide  ; 
A  thousand  dew-drops,  turned  to  gems, 
Give  floral  heads  their  diadems  ; 
A  thousand  streamlets  doubly  show 
The  things  that  on  their  margins  grow ; 
From  little  lakes  in  valleys  deep, 
Wrapt  in  their  soft  and  tranquil  sleep, 
Now  gathered  up  in  fairy  folds, 
A  snowy  mist  so  sweetly  rolls  ; 
And  light  is  dancing,  Galilee, 
Upon  thy  pure  and  hallowed  sea : 
Prom  splendid  villa,  wealth's  glad  home, 
From  humble  tent  of  those  that  roam, 
Erect  the  round  gray  columns  rise 
Of  granite  smoke  to  prop  the  skies : 
Gilboa's  top's  no  longer  dim, 
Nor  Ebal  dark,  nor  Gerezim  : 
Bright  morning  glories  o'er  thee  shine, 
O  lovely  land  of  Palestine  ! 


ANGEL     ALLIES.  209 

II. 

Gold-tipped  are  Dothan's  hills  of  blue, 
Spread  out  in  grandeur  to  the  view. 

By  love  paternal  kindly  sent, 
Thither  the  youthful  Joseph  went, 
To  greet  his  brethren  in  the  field — 
But  ah  !  what  fruit  doth  envy  yield  ! 
Not  kindred  blood  nor  holy  tie 
Prevents  the  deed  nor  spares  the  lie. 
A  brother  sold — to  Egypt  borne  ; 
Jacob  deceived,  his  death  to  mourn. 
O  Providence  !  of  deep  design, 
How  bright  thy  wondrous  counsels  shine ! 
Where  man  perverse  his  wrath  expends, 
Thy  wisdom  bringeth  glorious  ends  ; 
And  Angel  Allies,  though  unseen, 
To  aid  thy  servants  intervene. 

But  Dothan's  hills  where  morning's  ray, 
In  blushing  beauty  finds  its  way, 

18* 


210 


ANGEL      ALLIES. 


Presents  a  strange,  surprising  sight, 
All  compassed  round  with  Syrian  might. 
They  came  in  hours  when  darkness  shades 
The  open  plains  and  forest  glades. 
On  tented  hosts  the  star-beams  play, 
On  hostile  chariots  in  array  ; 
And  round  the  city,  far  and  near, 
The  foeman's  lengthened  lines  appear. 

Elisha,  Prophet  of  the  living  God — 
To  capture  him,  they  hither  trod. 
His  servant  saw,  in  day's  first  light, 
That  Syrian  throng  with  sore  affright ; 
And,  hasting  to  the  Prophet's  side, 
"  Alas  !  alas  !"  in  fear  he  cried  ; 
"  What  shall  we  do  ?  oh  master  !  how 
Shall  we  escape  the  Syrians  now  !" 
Calm  was  the  Prophet's  brow  and  mien ; 
His  trusting  soul  was  all  serene, 
Firm  as  the  mountain's  solid  base, 
Where  found  their  feet  a  resting-place. 


ANGEL      ALLIES.  211 

"  Fear  not,"  said  he,  "  our  friends  are  more 

Than  they  whose  presence  you  deplore." 

And  while  the  youth  was  trembling  there, 

Elisha  bowed  in  solemn  prayer, 

And  lifted  up  his  heavenly  eye, 

As  if  he  saw  Jehovah  nigh  : 

"  The  vision  bright',  O  Lord,  unfold ; 

Let  him  its  grandeur  now  behold  ; 

Let  him  with  opened  eye  survey 

How  near  to  us  comes  Heaven  to-day !" 

Then  on  Elisha's  servant  fell 

A  ray  divine,  a  sacred  spell, 

That  touched  with  holy  lire  his  soul, 

And  held  him  in  a  blest  control. 

The  mortal  vail  before  his  face 

Was  drawn  aside,  and  in  its  place 

There  came  a  medium,  crystal  clear, 

In  which  celestial  things  appear. 

What  splendors  rush  upon  his  sight ! 

What  heavenly  forms  and  visions  bright ! 


212  ANGEL     ALLIES. 

A  glory,  crowning  Dothan's  hills, 

His  raptured  spirit  strangely  thrills  ! 

As  up  the  mountain's  spreading  side, 

His  wondering  eye  doth  swiftly  glide, 

On  every  hand  afar  he  sees, 

Amid  the  rocks  and  through  the  trees, 

A  white-robed  host  in  armor  bright — 

Chariots  of  fire  and  steeds  of  light ! 

Ten  thousand  thousand  there  they  stood, 

The  Angel  Allies  of  the  good. 

Before  that  host  the  Syrian  band 

Seemed  like  a  single  grain  of  sand ; 

An  insect  atom,  that  a  breath 

Might  sweep  away  or  doom  to  death ! 

0  then  the  youthful  servant  knew 
The  Prophet's  words,  inspired  and  true  : 
He  saw  what  multitudes  were  they, 
Whom  God  could  send  without  delay  j 
Who  e'en  around  his  people  lie, 
Though  all  unseen  by  earthly  eye ; 


ANGEL     ALLIES.  213 

Those  spirit  guardians,  pure  and  strong, 
The  friends  of  Right,  the  foes  of  Wrong. 

This  glorious  legion  from  the  skies, 

Did  not  on  Syrian  vision  rise  ; 

So  moved  they  onward,  proud  and  vain, 

The  hated  Prophet  to  obtain  ; 

A  powerless  victim  him  they'll  bind, 

Nor  dreamed  resistance  there  to  find. 

The  man  of  God — the  man  of  prayer — 
Many  and  great  his  allies  are  : 
What  mighty  aid  at  his  command ! 
What  angel  guards  around  him  stand ! 

Again  Elisha's  voice  is  heard — 
High  Heaven  awaits  each  suppliant  word ; 
Unwavering  faith  the  answer  sought, 
And  quick  to  earth  the  boon  was  brought. 
The  Syrians  stop — a  midnight  cloud 
Doth  all  the  host  in  gloom  enshroud  : 


214  ANGEL     ALLIES. 

The  risen  sun,  the  light  of  day, 

Hath  in  an  instant  fled  away ; 

Darkness,  untold  by  mortal  lips, 

Holds  every  eye  in  dread  eclipse ! 

Smitten  of  God,  confounded,  blind, 

Prophet  they  seek  in  vain  to  find  : 

They  know  not  where  to  go  or  grope, 

Blasted  in  every  cherished  hope  : 

Those  powerful  hosts  have  lost  their  power, 

Defeat  and  doom  above  them  lower  ! 

Where'er  he  will,  in  paths  along, 
Elisha  leads  the  captured  throng, 
Restrains  the  pending,  vengeful  blow, 
In  mercy  spares  the  conquered  foe, 
Restores  by  prayer  the  seeing  sense, 
In  kindness  feasts  and  sends  them  hence. 
No  more  they  came,  that  Syrian  band, 
To  desecrate  fair  Israel's  land. 
A  great  deliverance,  timely  given — 
The  mountain  camp  of  hosts  of  heaven, 


ANGEL     ALLIES.  215 

Disclosed  to  mortal  vision  fair, 


The  answering  aid  of  holy  prayer. 
O  wondrous  thought  !  and  is  it  thus, 
That  spirit  envoys  visit  ns  ? 

in. 

Kind  Heaven  its  angels  of  glorious  birth, 
Sends  down  to  the  good  of  this  sin-smitten  earth  : 
They  linger  about  us.  they  go  in  our  path, 
Protect  us  from  evil  and  shield  us  from  wrath. 

In  visible  forms  at  the  first  they  were  sent, 
Whom  Abraham  saw  at  the  door  of  his  tent, 
Whom  Lot  entertained  in  the  city  of  doom, 
And  they  led  him  away  from  a  fiery  tomb. 

The  Prophets  beheld  them  in  peril's  dark  hour, 
And  escaped  from  their  foes  by  the  aid  of  their 

power  : 
To  Elisha  they  came  in  a  legion  of  light, 
And  Sennacherib's  army  destroyed  in  a  night. 


216  ANGEL     ALLIES. 

As  the  blessed  Redeemer  once  dwelt  among  men, 
How  Heaven's  sweet  angels  attended  him  then — 
In  his  heart-crushing  sorrow,  baptized  in  its  wave, 
As  he  hung  on  the  cross,  as  he  lay  in  the  grave  ! 

To  Peter's  lone  dungeon  an  angel  did  go, 
And  took  him  away  from  the  grasp  of  his  foe  ; 
One  standing  with  Paul,  by  Euroclydon  tossed, 
Assured  him,  though  wrecked,  not  a  life  should 
be  lost. 

No  longer  to  sight  do  those  blest  ones  appear, 
But  still  they  come  earthward  and  tenderly  near ; 
Their  soft  wings  are  o'er  us,  as  banners  of  love, 
And  witnessing  clouds  floating  down  from  above. 

O,  who  are  those  spirits,  those  allies  from  Heaven, 
Companions  unseen  to  us  mortal  ones  given  ? 
Whence  came  they  at  first,  and  O  where  is  their 

birth  ? 
And  why  feel  such  affection  for  children  of  earth  ? 


A.NGEL     ALLIES.  217 

IV. 

Hark  !  a  strain  of  music  floats 

Softly  through  the  evening  air  ; 
Sweet  and  pensive  are  its  notes, 

Like  the  cadences  of  prayer — 
Like  the  songs  the  Lord  inspires, 

Which  he  giveth  in  the  night, 
Stealing  out  from  spirit-lyres, 

Changing  darkness  into  light. 


Lo  !  a  mourning  harp  I  hear  ; 

Angel-fingers  touch  its  chords, 
And  a  chastened  heart  sincere 

Utters  forth  its  trusting  words: 
Hopeful  is  the  music's  tone, 

'Mid  the  tears  of  sorrowing  grief, 
Shed  o'er  dear  ones  loved  and  gone — 

Dear  ones  nigh  to  give  relief. 


19 


218  ANGEL     ALLIES. 

MINISTERING   SPIRITS. 

'Tis  sweet  to  think  that  spirits  pure  and  holy 
Are  often  hovering  round  the  pilgrim  here, 

To  banish  thoughts  of  grief  and  melancholy, 
And  bid  the  trembling  heart  forget  to  fear. 

Bright  angel  forms,  on  soft  and  airy  pinions, 
Like  carrier  birds,  the  messengers  of  love, 

Leave  the  fair  precincts  of  the  blest  dominions, 
With  choicest  favors  from  the  world  above. 

They  come,  and  give  to  solitude  its  pleasures, 
And  throw  a  hallowed  charm  around  the  heart  • 

Bear  up  the  thoughts  to  pure,  immortal  treasures, 
Where  kindred  spirits  meet  no  more  to  part. 

They  come,  from  those  celestial  hills  descending, 
Sent  by  the  bounteous  Ruler  of  the  skies  ; 

We  feel  their  presence  with  our  spirits  blending, 
When  evening  orisons  to  heaven  arise. 


ANGEL     ALLIES.  219 

They  come,  when  o'er  the  sorrowing  heart  is 
stealing 

The  wasting  blight  of  earth's  consuming  woe  ; 
They  come,  a  ray  of  heavenly  light  revealing, 

Amid  the  darkness  of  our  path  below. 

They  come  to  dry  the  mourner's  fount  of  sadness, 
To  pour  their  blessing  on  the  drooping  head, 

And  bid  the  soul  awake  to  hope  and  gladness, 
Along  the  vistas  of  the  future  spread. 

The  stricken  mother,  as  her  darling  slumbers, 
Cold,  in  the  silent  chamber  of  the  tomb, 

Oft  hears  its  pleasing  voice,  like  seraph's  num- 
bers, 
Fall  on  her  ear  amid  surrounding  gloom. 

The  lonely  orphan,  by  the  world  forsaken, 
Oft  seems  the  kindness  of  the  dead  to  share, 

And  feels  a  thrill  of  new-born  joy  awaken, 
As  if  embraced  by  fond,  parental  care. 


220  ANGEL      ALLIES. 

The  saddened  lover  and  the  joyless  maiden, 
Stript  of  their  cherished  ones  by  death's  chill 
hand 

Commune  with  their  returning  spirits,  laden 
With  love  undying  from  the  glorious  land. 

Joy  for  the  mission  of  those  guileless  creatures — 
That  Heaven  to  us  such  guardians  should 
send  ; 

Oh,  wear  they  not  the  well-remembered  features 
Of  many  an  early  loved  and  long  lost  friend  ? 

Ye  sainted  forms  of  dearest  ones  departed  ! 

Methinks  I  hear  your  music  in  the  breeze  ; 
And  oft,  'mid  scenes  of  sadness,  lonely-hearted, 

My  spirit's  eye  your  joyful  presence  sees. 

Still,  still  around  my  chequered  pathway  hover — 
'Tis  sweet  to  hold  communion  with  the  pure — 

And  welcome  me  at  last,  when  life  is  over, 
Where  love  and  joy  eternal  shall  endure  ! 


ANGEL     ALLIES.  22 1 

V. 

Do  you  believe  in  Ghosts  ?     I've  heard 
That  ghosts  were  seen,  but  not  a  word 
Did  they  presume  to  speak  or  write, 
And  always  came  at  dead  of  night, 
To  some  old,  haunted  house  or  room, 
Where  a  dark,  murderous  deed  of  doom 
Had  been  committed — ne'er  confessed, 
And  so  the  wronged  soul  could  not  rest, 
But  back  did  come,  with  knife  in  hand, 
Or  in  some  ghastly  plight  did  stand, 
To  hunt  the  guilty  one,  and  show 
That  in  his  cup  were  dregs  of  woe ! 

Sometimes  in  lonely  graveyards  drear, 
'Twas  thought,  believed,  ghosts  d^d  appear ; 
And  hence  the  story  of  the  wight, 
Who  passed  the  burial-ground  at  night, 
And  lest  bad  ghouls  on  him  should  sup, 
Whistled  to  keep  his  courage  up. 
19* 


222 


ANGEL      ALLIES 


But  in  this  fast,  progressive  age, 
These  kinds  of  ghosts  have  left  the  stage 
And,  lo  !  another  sort  is  here, 
An  active  race  and  very  queer : 
They're  not  your  quiet,  silent  chaps, 
But  show  their  presence  by  their  raps  ! 
Not  like  a  careful,  noiseless  rover, 
They  tip  your  chairs  and  tables  over — 
Throw  things  about  with  fearful  crash, 
And  break  your  windows,  glass  and  sash. 
Know-Nothings  they  are  surely  not, 
For  wondrous  knowledge  they  have  got. 
They  think,  reflect,  and  write,  and  spell, 
And  curious  tales  'tis  said  they  tell  : 
But  when  they  write  a  famous  letter, 
Their  grammar  sure  should  oft  be  better  ; 
Nor  should  their  spelling  so  much  vary 
From  that  of  Webster's  Dictionary  : 
The  news  they  bring  us  from  the  skies. 
Should  freer  be  of  downright  lies  ; 


ANGEL     ALLIES.  223 

Or  else  an  honest  world  will  claim 
These  ghosts,  new-fangled,  are  a  shame  ; 
Or,  giving  them  a  harder  jam, 
By  leaving  off  the  e — a  sham ! 

'Tis  passing  strange,  if  it  be  true, 
When  master  spirits  go  from  time, 

And  enter  on  a  being  new, 

In  higher  realms  of  soul  sublime, 

If  they  are  changed  from  wise  men  here, 

And  there  but  simpletons  appear! 

And  if  they  should  communicate 
With  mortals  in  this  world  below, 

Would  they  to  us  their  knowledge  state 
In  the  same  way  these  rappers  do  ? 

Would  they  such  doubtful  mediums  choose, 

Through  whom  their  intellects  to  ooze  ? 

Think  of  the  Newtons,  Bacons,  Lockes, 
The  great,  from  mortal  vision  hid, 


224  ANGEL     ALLIES. 

Going  to  Rochester  for  Fox, 

And  others,  omne  genus  id ; 
And  them  appropriate  channels  own 
To  make  their  revelations  known  ! 

Ho  !  Humbug  !     Barnum  is  a  saint, 
Compared  with  foolery  like  this  ; 

His  queer-formed  mermaid  in  her  paint, 
The  perfect  charm  of  loveliness  : 

Credulity,  in    Rapperdom, 

Hath  surely  reached  its  kingdom  come  ! 

VI. 

Angel  Allies,  viewless  friends, 
Aid  impart  when  ill  portends  ; 
Shield,  when  danger  oft  impends. 

Vigils  o'er  the  slumberer  keep, 
Wake  him  from  imperiled  sleep, 
Ere  the  flames  around  him  creep. 


\  N  (I  E  L      ALLIES.  225 

Turn  the  traveler  from  the  way, 
Where  the  wild  beast  watched  his  prey, 
Where  the  dread  assassin  lay. 

Guide  the  vessel  on  the  wave, 
Where  it  goes  in  time  to  save 
Wrecked  ones  from  an  ocean  grave. 

Storm  and  tempest  on  the  deep  . 
Wild  and  high  the  billows  leap  ; 
When  shall  they  in  calmness  sleep  ? 

Floats  a  new  and  noble  wreck, 
'Mid  the  waves  a  trembling  speck — 
Who  the  fearful  gale  shall  check  ? 

Hundreds  crowded,  clinging  there, 
Lift  to  Heaven  their  earnest  prayer, 
Or  wait  death  in  dread  despair. 


226  ANGEL      ALLIES 

Slowly  roll  the  hours  away, 
Ocean  rages  through  the  day, 
Nor  doth  night  its  terror  stay. 

Suddenly  an  Alpine  surge 

Many  sweeps  from  mortal  verge — 

Passing,  wails  their  solemn  dirge. 

Who  shall  calm  surviving  grief? 
Whence  shall  come  implored  relief? 
Iiife  is  loved,  but  seems,  how  brief! 

Yonder,  see  !  a  passing  sail ! 
Signal,  trumpet,  gun,  all  hail ! 
Surely  now  shall  hope  prevail ! 

As  on  lost  ones  shuts  the  night, 
As  fresh  hope  takes  sudden  flight, 
Goes  that  vessel  from  their  sight ! 


ANGEL      ALLIES.  22" 

Must  the  storm  its  work  complete  ? 
Must  stern  Death  maintain  his  seat  ? 
Tread  the  victims  "neath  his  feet} 

Lo  !  another  ship's  descried, 
Poised  upon  the  angry  tide  ; 
Nor  is  aid  from  her  denied. 

Long  she  waited  'mid  the  storm, 
Sending  words  of  friendship  warm, 
Bringing  near  her  wave-tossed  form. 

Noble  captain  !  faithful  men  ! 
Moved  by  human  sorrow  then, 
Honor  shall  be  yours  again. 

Rescued  from  a  yawning  tomb  ; 
Saved  from  shipwreck's  awful  doom — 
O  what  joy  succeedeth  gloom  ! 


228  ANGEL     ALLIES. 

Who  the  wrecked  Francisco  tells, 

While  a  grateful  bosom  swells, 

Loud  shall  praise  the  brave  Three  Bells  ! 


Angel,  Death  !  how  dread  the  hour, 
When  thy  wing,  with  awful  power, 
O'er  the  Pride  of  Seas  did  lower  ! 


Shocked,  by  sudden  horror  bowed  ; 
Trembling,  living,  dying  crowd  ; 
Wrapt  in  Ocean's  misty  shroud  ! 

Vile  and  good — the  oath  and  prayer ; 
Brave  ones— base  ones — all  are  there  : 
Who  the  precious  freight  shall  spare  ? 

Left  to  perish,  side  by  side, 
Of  their  safety  robbed,  denied  ; 
Comes  no  vessel  o'er  the  tide  ! 


ANGEL     ALLIES.  229 

Sinking — lost !     How  fails  the  pen, 

Fails  imagination's  ken, 

To  portray  that  scene  to  men  ! 

Sorrowing  angels,  on  the  wing, 
Tidings,  oh  how  sad  !  they  bring  ; 
Homes  and  hearts  with  anguish  wring ! 

Lonely  ones,  when  wild  winds  sweep, 
When  the  mist  hangs  o'er  the  deep, 
Long  the  Arctic's  fate  shall  keep ! 

VII. 

Right's  glorious  triumph  over  flagrant  wrong 
Is  sure  to  come,  although  its  foes  be  strong  : 
The  host  may  clamor  at  their  leader's  beck, 
And  think  they  tread  upon  a  victim's  neck  ; 
But  Dragons'  teeth  they're  pressing  in  the  soil, 
Whence  men  shall  spring  and  all  their  plunder 
spoil. 

20 


230  ANGEL     ALLIES. 

Though  Freedom's  temple  they  may  sack  and 

burn, 
Shall  rise  a  mightier  Phoenix  from  its  urn  ! 
Against  the  jnst  and  true  and  brave,  may  press 
The  thousand  myrmidons  of  selfishness, 
And  deem,  in  pride  and  arrogance,  that  they 
Their  haughty  scepter  o'er  the  right  may  sway. 
Their  foeman's  power  beyond  their  skill  to  know, 
Shall  deal  on  them  an  unexpected  blow ! 
Near  to  the  faithful  is  a  mountain  wood, 
Filled  with  the  countless  allies  of  the  good  : 
Justice  and  Truth  their  loyal  hearts  inspire, 
And  urge  them  on  like  chariots  of  fire  ! 
In  hosts  of  might  and  majesty  they  come — 
Quail  then  the  traitors,  and  the  base  are  dumb ! 

Thus    Cromwell    fought    beneath    the    aid    of 

Heaven, 
And  glorious  victories  to  his  arms  were  given ; 
Tims  Williams  battled  in  a  bloodless  fight, 
And  gained  the  triumph  of  the  soul's  great  right ; 


ANGEL      ALLIES.  231 

Thus  stood  that  matchless  hero,  Washington, 
Against  the  mighty,  till  the  boon  was  won  ; 
Thus  Wilberforce  appealed  to  heavenly  aid, 
And  overcame — and  crushed  a  hell-born  trade  ; 
And  not  the  least  'mong  moral  champions  now, 
Shall  oft  be  mentioned,  honored,  loved,  Ne  al  Dow  ; 
And  that  blest  cause,  for  which  he  struggled  long, 
'Gainst  worse  than  Syrian  bands  and  far  more 

strong, 
Shall  triumph — and,  in  its  benignant  sway, 
The  darkest  night  shall  turn  to  loveliest  day  ! 

NETHER  SPIRITS. 

While  of  Angel  Allies  singing, 
Helpers  of  the  good  and  true, 

Oft  their  precious  treasures  bringing, 
Silent  as  the  falling  dew  ; 

Other  spirits  have  their  merits, 

And  the  hue  that  each  inherits, 
May  be  red — may  be  blue. 


232  ANGEL     ALLJES. 

These  are  worse  than  spirits  rapping, 
Worse  than  phantom,  ghonl  or  ghost ; 

liife  and  reason  ever  sapping, 
Bearing  in  their  train  a  host — 

Horrid  evils,  done  by  devils, 

In  their  dens  and  'mid  their  revels, 
Where  of  victories  they  boast ! 

Victories  over  life  and  treasure, 
Over  health  and  truth  and  love, 

Over  all  domestic  pleasure, 

Over  hopes  of  heaven  above — 

Victories  aiding,  in  their  trading, 

Satan's  allies,  ever  lading 
Vessels  of  wrath,  to  prove. 


As  the  Demon's  name  was  Legion, 
Ours  are  Legions,  these  retort  ; 

And  they  dwell  in  many  a  region, 
Crossing  waters  for  the  port : 


ANGEL     ALLIES.  233 

hi  dry  places  seeking  faces, 
Passing  months  and  necks  in  races, 
Till  the  travel-means  are  short ! 


Reckless,  lawless  spirits,  truly, 
Killing  friends,  defying  foes  ; 

And  with  manners  most  unruly, 
Painting  deeply  on  the  nose, 

Not  of  few  ones,  who  in  unions 

With  these  allies,  hold  communions, 
Blossoms,  like  a  reddened  rose ! 


After  long  and  tedious  trying 
To  subdue  these  spirits  bad, 

Moral  suasion  oft  applying, 

While  their  reign  continued  sad, 

Legal  suasion  took  occasion 

To  cut  off  the  deadly  ration, 
Then  Philanthropy  was  glad  ! 

20* 


^34  ANGEL      ALLIES. 

Long  these  Nether  Spirits  freely 
Scattered  woe  and  death  around  ; 

Though  they're  slippery,  sly  and  eely, 
Hence  shall  be  in  prison  bound : 

Nor  shall  teaching,  pleading,  preaching, 

Nor  the  words  of  soft  beseeching, 

Bring  them  out  on  Freedom's  ground. 

Should  they  not  be  calm  and  quiet, 
In  the  dungeons  where  they  lie, 

But  revolt  in  lawless  riot, 
Then — the  penalty  apply  ! 

Heads,  necks  rapping,  breaking,  slapping, 

'Mid  rejoicing  shouts  and  clapping, 
They  shall  struggle,  bleed,  and  die  ! 

VIII. 

Look  at  the  cause  of  Truth  and  Right, 
Where  Justice  wages  war  with  Might ; 
Where  traitors  thrive  and  knaves  abound, 
And  few  among  the  good  are  found  ; 


ANGEL      ALLIES.  235 

Where  rank  Oppression  binds  the  chain, 
And  scorneth  thoughts  the  free  maintain ; 
Where  base  Ambition  rears  its  head, 
Nor  fears  on  holy  ground  to  tread  ; 
Where  truth  and  faith  and  law  are  crushed, 
And  pleadings  for  the  right  are  hushed  : 
O  there,  though  few  your  ranks  and  thin, 
There  stand  against  the  hosts  of  sin  ; 
God  will  the  true  and  just  defend, 
And  ye  shall  conquer  in  the  end  ; 
Heaven's  aid,  as  ye  the  torrents  stem, 
Makes  more  with  you  than  are  with  them  ! 

If  angels  with  Apostles  went, 
And  hovered  round  their  pilgrim  tent  ; 
If  they  are  guarding  spirits  still, 
And  God's  elect  with  courage  fill  ; 
Then  ye,  who  stand  on  Z ion's  wall, 
Responsive  to  the  Gospel  call, 
And  there  the  message  high  impart, 
That  Heaven  addresses  to  the  heart ; 


236  ANGEL     ALLIES. 

Fear  not  to  cry  aloud,  nor  spare — 

To  guilty  men  their  guilt  declare  : 

Reprove,  exhort,  rebuke,  and  though 

The  sinner  be  not  mean  nor  low, 

But  if  among  the  high  he  stand, 

E'en  in  the  councils  of  the  land, 

Pass  not  his  sin,  without  a  word 

Of  firm  remonstrance  being  heard. 

As  to  the  guilty  King  he  ran, 

The  Prophet  said  :   "Thou  art  the  man  !" 

The  freedom  demagogues  would  sell, 

And  all  the  gladdening  hopes  they'd  quell, 

Are  no  more  theirs  for  self  to  spend, 

Than  yours  to  cherish  and  defend  ! 

We  know  our  rights  and  duties  too, 

And  knovving,  we  will  dare  to  do  ! 

Trusting  in  Him  we  love  to  serve, 

Nor  threats  nor  slang  our  hearts  shall  swerve. 

Let  party  vassals  rage  and  sneer  .; 

Let  faithless  ones  deride  and  jeer  ; 


ANGEL     ALLIES.  237 

Let  all  the  Slavery-serving  pack 

The  driver's  whip  above  us  crack  ; 

We  fear  them  not,  nor  shall  we  shrink 

To  speak  the  thoughts  our  free  minds  think, 

And  solemnly  those  thoughts  proclaim 

Against  the  wrong,  in  God's  great  name  ! 

IX. 

The  song  must  close,  the  harp  be  laid  aside ; 
Days,  years  are  fading  like  the  eventide  : 
Eternal  Right  and  changeless  Truth  remain, 
And  these,  though  "  crushed  to  earth  shall  rise 

again :" 
Out-living  all  their  foes,  a  coming  time 
Shall  hail  their  universal  swat  sublime  ! 
Let  Faith  be  firm,  and  Patience  calmly  wait, 
While  hands  are  strong,  and  trusting  hearts  elate  ; 
And,  as  the  years  of  this  our  fleeting  life 
Are  passing  forward  'mid  a  moral  strife, 
On  which  the  spirits  of  the  blest  look  down, 
And  lend  their  aid  our  glorious  work  to  crown — 


238  ANGEL     ALLIES. 

Conquests  we  see  that  make  our  souls  rejoice, 
Give  hope  to  heart,  and  melody  to  voice  : 
Then,  looking  onward  to  that  clearer  light. 
Victorious  paeans  we  may  sing  to-night ! 


MORAL  TRIUMPH. 

Fought  is  the  battle ! 

Victory  won  ! 
Clouds  are  departing — 
Shineth  the  sun. 
Day  of  redemption,  hail  to  thy  morning! 
Glory  gleams  on  thee,  brightly  adorning  ! 

Gained  is  the  triumph, 

Right  wins  the  day  ; 
Freedom  ascendant, 

Blessed  her  sway ! 
Fling  out  the  banner,  wave  it  in  splendor  ; 
Praise  for  the  conquest,  grateful  hearts  render  ! 


ANGEL     ALLIES.  239 

Toil  is  rewarded, 

Prayer  hath  been  heard. 
Faith  at  last  conquers, 
Hope's  not  deferred. 
Shout !  ye  long  patient ;  rise  in  your  gladness  ; 
Welcome  the  era  ending  your  sadness  ! 

Comes  a  strong  Angel, 

Earthward  again, 
Binds  the  old  Dragon 
Fast  in  his  chain . 
Joy  to  the  freed  ones !  woe  to  the  oppressor  ! 
Angel  of  good,  henceforth  the  aggressor  ! 

Courage !  ye  toilers, 

Onward  for  right ; 
Breaketh  the  day-dawn, 
Passeth  the  night  : 
Heaven's  light  gildeth  hill-tops  and  mountains, 
Drops  down  the  valleys,  smiles  on  the  fountains  ! 


240  ANGEL     ALLIES. 

Up  now,  ye  crushed  ones, 

Fetters  throw  by  : 
Death-freighted  thunders 
Roll  from  your  sky  ! 
Gone  is  the  storm-cloud,  fearful  and  hateful, 
Liberty's  gales  bring  music  most  grateful ! 

Greetings !  true-hearted, 

Over  the  land  ; 
Soldiers  of  virtue, 
Valiantly  stand  ! 
Fear  not  the  foeman,  selfish  and  stoic  ; 
God,  in  the  battle,  aids  the  heroic  ! 

Cravens  are  cowering, 

False  ones  turn  pale  ; 
Freedom's  betrayers 

Tremble  and  quail ! 
Glorious  Columbia  utters  her  voices, 
Hears  them  our  Eagle,  screams  and  rejoices ! 


$)its  fix 


i. 

Day  of  wrath  !   that  day  appalling  ! 
When  the  world  in  fire  is  falling ! — 
Prophet  voice  and  scroll  recalling. 

ii. 

Ah  !  what  dread  dismay  impending  ! 

When  the  Judge  shall  be  descending, 
Searching  eye  o'er  all  things  bending  ! 

in. 

Lo !   the  trump,  in  thunder  pealing, 

Calls  the  dead,  their  tombs  unsealing, 
Up  to  God,  his  throne  revealing  ! 

iv. 

Death  amazed,  and  Nature  quaking, 

See  the  crowds,  their  graves  forsaking, 

Swift  their  way  to  judgment  taking  ! 
21 


242  DIES      IRiE. 

V. 

Opened  are  the  solemn  pages, 
Where  are  writ  the  deeds  of  ages  : 
Whence  the  world  await  their  wages. 

VI. 

Now,  the  Judge  his  seat  maintaining, 
Hidden  things  in  light  arraigning, 
Nought  is  unavenged  remaining. 

VII. 

Ah  !   what  then  shall  /  say,  quailing  ? 
Who  for  me  shall  plead,  prevailing, 
When  the  jnst  man's  heart  is  failing  ? 

VIII. 

King  of  glorious  exaltation  \ 

Thou,  the  saved,  dost  give  salvation  ; 

Save  me,  Fount  of  consolation  ! 

IX. 

Jesus  !  ne'er  forget  me,  sighing 
O'er  my  sins,  thy  grief  supplying  : 
Lose  me  not  that   day  nil  trying ! 


DIES     IRE,  243 

X. 

Weary,  waiting,  thou  hast  sought  me  ; 
On  the  cross  from  death  hast  bought  me  : 
Be  not  vain  what  thou  hast  wrought  me ! 

XI. 

Righteous  Judge  !  dread  vengeance  bearing, 
Let  me  pardon  free  be  sharing, 
Ere  that  day  of  doom  declaring  J 

XH. 

All  condemned,  my  guilt  lamenting, 
Of  my  faults  in  shame  repenting  ; 
Spare  the  suppliant.  Lord,  relenting! 

XIII, 

Thy  forgiveness  Mary  showing, 
Mercy  to  the  robber  flowing, 
Hope  on  me  thou  art  bestowing. 

XIV. 

With  my  prayers  though  sin  is  blending, 
Grace,  good  Lord,  to  me  extending, 
Shield  me  from  the  fire  unending ! 


244  DIES      IKiE, 

XV. 

Place  me  with  thy  sheep  selected, 
Distant  from  the  goajts  rejected, 
At  thy  right  hand  safe-protected. 

XVI. 

When  the  scorners'  hopes  are  riven, 
They  to  fiercest  flames  are  driven, 
Call  me  with  the  blest  to  heaven. 

Lowly  bowed,  before  Thee  pleading, 
Heart  in  ashes,  broken,  bleeding  ; 
Help  me  in  the  hour  of  needing  ! 

XYIII. 

Oh  !  that  day  of  tears  and  dooming  ! 
When,  awaked  from  long  entombing, 
Man  to  judgment  is  assembling — 
Spare,  O  God  !   thy  creatures  trembling  ! 


NOTES. 


81" 


NOTES 


Note  1.     Page  21.     "This  beauteous  City's  ample  arms." 

The  reference  is  to  New-Haven ;  its  delightful  situation,  the 
loveliness  of  its  varied  adornings  of  nature  and  art,  and  scenes 
connected  with  its  early  settlement.  The  first  Sabbath  after 
the  arrival  of  the  colonists,  the  He  v.  Mr.  Davenport,  one  of 
their  number,  preached  to  them,  assembled  under  a  large 
tree — a  locality  still  pointed  out  in  a  thickly  settled  part  of 
the  city.  This  allusion  to  New-Haven  was  deemed  appropri- 
ate in  delivering  the  Poem  before  the  Young  Men's  Institute 
of  that  city.  When  it  was  subsequently  repeated  at  an  anni- 
versary of  the  Literary  Societies  of  Madison  University,  at 
Hamilton,  N.  Y.,  it  was  modified  by  the  substitution  of  the 
following  lines: 

Blest  Pioneers !  who  primal  forests  cleared, 

Long  shall  }our  sturdy  virtues  be  revered, 

Here,  where  ye  sowed,  on  many  an  ample  field, 

Not  merel}*  harvests  that  the  earth  may  yield, 

But  holier  plants  that  in  perennial  bloom, 

Shall  shed  their  fragrance  'mid  the  darkest  gloom ; 

Here,  in  these  valleys,  where  ye  preached  the  Cross, 

And  for  it  welcomed  toil  and  shame  and  loss ; 

Glad  to  behold,  in  many  a  clustering  place, 

The  gathered  Church,  adorned  with  heavenly  grace  ; 

Here,  'mid  sequestered  charms  and  hill-sides,  where 

Ye  laid  these  walls  in  tears  and  faith  and  prayer ; 


248  NOTES. 

"Whence,  as  revolving  years  have  sped  their  flight, 
Hath  gone  to  distant  realms  celestial  light : 
And,  from  her  earnest,  fair  and  trusting  youth, 
This  Alma  Mater  of  the  sons  of  truth, 
Hath  grown  to  queenly  vigor,  grace  and  form, 
Loved  in  her  peril — strengthened  by  the  storm 
Here,  future  years  shall  hallow  Kendrick's  fame* 
And  long  remember  Hascall's  cherished  name  : 
And  other  names,  with  these  enwreathed,  entwined, 
Shall,  in  the  halls  of  Memory,  be  shrined. 


Note  2.     Page  45.     "  0  grave  of  Gallaudet  !" 

The  Rev.  Thomas  H.  Gallaudet,  LL.D,  introduced  into  this 
country  the  system  of  deaf-mute  instruction,  and  was  for  many 
years  Principal  of  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum  at  Hartford. 
He  was  subsequently  Chaplain  of  the  Insane  Retreat  in  that 
city.  He  was  also  the  author  of  numerous  popular  works  de- 
signed for  the  religious  instruction  of  the  young.  In  reciting 
this  Poem,  a  few  days  after  his  death,  before  the  Gallaudet 
Society  of  the  State  Normal  School  at  New-Britain,  this  pass- 
ing tribute  was  paid  to  his  character. 


Note  3.     Page  47.     "  Oh,  such  was  he" 

For  forty-two  years,  the  Rev.  Daniel  Sharp,  D.  D.,  was  the 
excellent  and  beloved  Pastor  of  the  Charles  Street  Baptist 
Church,  Boston.  A  man  of  large  and  generous  heart,  an  elo- 
quent and  practical  preacher,  he  also  took  an  active  and  prom- 
inent part  in  missionary  and  other  benevolent  enterprises, 
and  was  frequently  called  to  officiate  on  important  anniver- 
sary occasions.  He  left  one  or  two  such  appointments  unful- 
filled at  his  death,  which  took  place  June  23,  1853. 


NOTES.  249 

Note  4.  Page  69.  "Roger  "Williams's  Rock." 
After  taking  his  final  leave  of  Massachusetts,  Rcger  Wil- 
liams passed  over  in  a  boat  to  the  "west  bank  of  the  Seekonk 
River,  and  first  landed,  it  is  said,  upon  the  Rock  which  still 
bears  his  name,  and  is  situated  a  little  east  from  the  city  of 
Providence.  He  was  there  met  by  a  party  of  friendly  Indians, 
who  addressed  him  with  the  words,  ""What  cheer,"  a  phrase 
equivalent  to  "  How  do  you  do?"  This  little  ode  had  its  ori- 
gin in  the  visit  to  that  locality  of  a  party  of  ladies  and  gentle- 
men, to  whom  it  was  recited  from  the  Rock. 


Xote  5.  Page  103.  "  The  Karen  Village." 
In  the  year  1S36,  Miss  Eleanor  Macomber,  a  native  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  commenced  her  solitary  labors  as  a  Mis- 
sionary at  Dong-Yan,  a  Karen  village,  about  thirty-five  miles 
north  of  Maulmain,  Burmah.  Having  heard,  after  her  arrival 
in  India,  of  this  village,  of  its  utter  moral  and  religious  desti- 
tution, and  the  degradation  of  its  heathen  inhabitants,  who 
were  specially  addicted  to  drunkenness  and  its  kindred  vices, 
she  was  deeply  anxious  to  tench  them  the  precepts  of  the 
Gospel.  She  began,  alone,  her  instructions  at  the  house  of  the 
Chief,  whose  name  was  Ah-wah,  and  who  was  notorious  for 
his  intemperate  and  other  vicious  habits.  She  first  gained  the 
ear  and  heart  of  the  Chieftain's  wife  ;  and  then  the  Convert 
and  Teacher  expected  nothing  but  insult  and  abuse  from  the 
infuriate  husband.  To  attempt  to  rebuke  him  or  reason  with 
him,  seemed  a  dangerous  and  hopeless  task.  At  length,  at  the 
suggestion  of  the  Chief's  wife,  Miss  Macomber  approached  him 
and  related  the  simple  story  of  the  Cross — the  love,  the  suffer- 
ings, and  the  death  of  Jesus  Christ.  Th*s,  as  his  wife  predict- 
ed, the  Chief  was  not  able  to  resist.     Conversions  multiplied 


250  NOTES. 

rapidly,  and  in  a  few  months  a  Christian  Church  was  gathered, 
and  became  the  center  of  a  wide-spread  religious  influence, 
and  is  still  in  a  flourishing  state.  This  Poem  was  written  for 
an  anniversary  occasion  of  the  Ladies'  Lesbian  and  Missionary 
Societies  of  Connecticut  Literary  Institution,  at  Suffield. 


Note  6.     Page  146.     "  Judson  leaving  St.  Helena." 

After  an  absence  of  thirty-three  years,  spent  amid  the  vicis- 
situdes of  missionary  life,  the  Rev.  Adoniram  Jtjdson,  D.  D.,  was 
returning  to  make  his  first  and  only  visit  to  his  native  country, 
when  his  wife,  for  the  benefit  of  whose  health  the  voyage 
was  undertaken,  died  on  shipboard  in  the  harbor  of  St.  Helena, 
September  ],  1845.  Dr.  Judson  thus  describes  his  emotions 
after  the  funeral  solemnities  had  taken  place  on  the  island : 
"  I  was  obliged  to  hasten  on  board  the  ship,  and  we  immedi- 
ately went  to  sea.  On  the  following  morning  no  vestige  of 
the  Island  was  discernible  in  the  distant  horizon.  For  a  few 
days,  in  the  solitude  of  my  cabin,  with  my  poor  children  cry- 
ing around  me,  I  could  not  help  abandoning  myself  to  heart- 
breaking sorrow.  But  the  promises  of  the  Gospel  came  to  my 
aid  and  faith  stretched  her  view  to  the  bright  world  of  eternal 
life,  and  anticipated  a  happy  meeting  with  those  beloved  be- 
ings whose  bodies  are  mouldering  at  Amherst  and  St.  Helena." 


Note  7.     Page  241.     "Dies  Ir,e." 

An  attempt  has  here  been  made  to  render  this  ancient  and 
celebrated  Latin  Hymn  into  English  verse,  retaining  as  far  as 
possible  the  structure  and  sentiment  of  the  devout,  solemn  and 
sublime  original.  Though  many  translations  of  it  in  English 
have  been  made,  the  present  writer  has  seen  but  few  in  which 
the  double  rhymes  are  preserved ;  and  the  best  of  these  is  by 


NOTES.  251 

Rev.  Wm.  R.  Williams,  D.  D.,  of  New  York.  It  may  be  found 
with  much  interesting  matter  relating  to  the  Dies  Irse,  in  an 
appendix  to  the  first  article  in  his  Miscellanies.  Thomas  de 
Celano,  a  monk  of  the  thirteenth  century,  is  supposed  to  have 
been  the  author  of  the  original,  which  is  here  subjoined. 

DIES  IR^E. 

I. 

Dies  irae  !  dies  ilia ! 
Solvet  saeclum  in  favilla; 
Teste  David  cum  Sibylla. 

Quantus  tremor  est  futurus, 
Quando  Judex  est  venturus, 
.Cuncta  stricte  discussurus. 

3. 
Tuba  mirum  spargens  sonum, 
Per  sepulehra  regionum, 
Coget  omncs  ante'  thronum. 

4. 
Mors  stupebit  et  natura, 
Cum  resurget  creatura, 
Judicanti  responsura. 

5. 
Liber  scriptus  proferetur, 
In  quo  totuni  continetur, 
Unde  mundus  iudicetur. 

6. 
Judex  ergo  cum  sedebit, 
Quidquid  latet  apparebit, 
Nil  inultum  remanebit. 

7. 
Quid  sum  miser  tunc  dicturus? 
Quern  patronum  rogaturus. 
Cum  vix  Justus  sit  securus? 

8. 
Rex  tremendse  majestatis ! 
Qui  salvandos  salvas  gratis, 
Salva  me,  fons  pielatis. 


252  NOTES 


9. 
Recordare,  Jesu  pie, 
Quod  sum  causa  tuse  vise : 
Ne  me  perdas  ilia  die. 

10. 
Qiuerens  me,  sedisti  lassus ; 
Redemisti  crucem  passus; 
Tantus  labor  non  sit  cassus. 

11. 
Juste  judex  ultionis, 
Domini  fac  remissionis, 
Ante  diem  rationis. 

12. 
Ingemisco  tanquam  reus; 
Culpa  rubet  vultus  meus : 
Supplicanti  parce,  Deus. 

13. 
Qui  Mariam  absolvisti, 
Et  latronem  exaudisti, 
Mihi  quoque  spem  dedisti. 

14. 
Preces  mese  non  sunt  dignse, 
Sed  tu,  bone,  fac  benigne, 
Ne  perenni  cremer  ignei 

15. 
Inter  oves  locum  prsesta, 
Et  ab  hsedis  me  sequestra, 
Statuens  in  parte  dextra. 

16. 
Confutatis  maledictis, 
Flammis  acribus  addictis, 
Voca  me  cum  benedictis, 

17. 
Oro  supplex,  et  acclinis, 
Cor  contritum  quasi  cinis; 
Gere  curam  mei  finis. 

18. 
Lacrymosa  die  ilia 
Qua  resurget  ex  favilla, 
Judicandus  homo  reus : 
Hnic  ergo  parce,  Deus ! 


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